Merz assures Zelenskiy his government can be relied upon for support

Aftermath of a Russia air strike in Kostiantynivka

A resident reacts in front of his apartment building heavily damaged a day before, by a Russian air strike, while rescuers try to find his mother under debris, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the frontline town of Kostiantynivka, in Donetsk region, Ukraine May 8, 2025. Iryna Rybakova/Press Service of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via REUTERS

Source: Handout

Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that his government could be relied upon for continued support against Russia's invasion, in a telephone call on Thursday, a government spokesperson said.

Merz, who took office earlier this week after his conservatives won a February federal election, told Zelenskiy Germany supports the mediation efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump, in close coordination with other European partners.

"This includes helping Ukraine defend itself effectively against Russian aggression and exerting pressure on Russia," the spokesperson said.

Zelenskiy, in his nightly video address, said he and Merz agreed to work together on matters of joint interest.

"There are already concrete things that we can do together," Zelenskiy said. "Decisions will be taken."

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters