U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz discuss cooperation on peace and security.
United States President-elect Donald Trump and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have pledged to work towards “a return to peace in Europe” in their first post-election call, according to a German government spokesman.
“Both exchanged views on the German-American relationship and current geopolitical challenges,”
said Steffen Hebestreit, Scholz’s spokesperson, on Sunday. Scholz emphasized Germany’s commitment to the successful partnership with the United States, stating that both leaders agreed on the importance of jointly pursuing peace in Europe.
How might Trump’s presidency affect Ukraine?
Trump’s return to the White House is under close scrutiny in Europe, particularly regarding his potential approach to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Trump, who has criticized current U.S. support for Kyiv, has asserted that the conflict would never have started if he were in office and claims he could end it “within 24 hours.”
According to The Washington Post, Trump recently spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him not to escalate the war. Reportedly, Trump highlighted Washington’s significant military presence in Europe during the call, which took place at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Who else has Trump spoken to in Europe?
Trump’s call with Scholz follows recent discussions with several other European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke with Trump, in a call joined by tech magnate Elon Musk.
Trump’s previous term strained U.S.-German relations under Chancellor Angela Merkel, with Trump accusing Berlin of free-riding on U.S. military protection and announcing a substantial reduction of American troops in Germany. Scholz, who is facing early elections next year, openly backed Joe Biden during the recent campaign.
Musk, a vocal supporter of Trump and a recent critic of Scholz has hinted at a role in Trump’s team. Known for clashes with European regulators, Musk may be considered for a new “secretary of cost-cutting” role, aligning with his priorities at Tesla and SpaceX.
