With Trump's Eye On Iran, Merz Pressed Ukraine's Case In Washington

News Analysis With Trump's Eye On Iran, Merz Pressed Ukraine's Case In Washington By Alex Raufoglu March 04, 2026 18:00 CET With Trump's Eye On Iran, Merz Pressed Ukraine's Case In Washington Share Share Print WASHINGTON -- The split screen in the Oval Office captured the real moment. On one side, escalating tensions in the Middle East. On the other, Europe's largest economy insisting Russia's war against Ukraine remains the defining test of transatlantic security. With US President Donald Trump sharpening his focus on Iran, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spent his time in Washington this week with a clear objective: Ensure Ukraine does not get pushed to the periphery. "We all want to see this war come to an end as soon as possible," Merz said at the start of his third visit to the White House on March 3. "But Ukraine has to preserve its territory and its security interests." SEE ALSO: Exclusive: Kremlin Office Plants Prove Putin's Absence As Iran War Heats Up Merz said that during their meeting, he showed Trump a map of the war-torn country and left with the "strong impression" that the US administration understands Kyiv "cannot make further territorial concessions beyond those areas already militarily occupied by Russia -- and no more." The wording appeared deliberate. A previous US cease-fire proposal had floated recognizing Russian control over additional Ukrainian territory -- including areas Moscow does not fully occupy -- which prompting sharp pushback from European capitals. Merz's formulation signaled Europe's red line: no formalizing gains beyond Russia's current battlefield footprint. Trump: Ukraine War 'Very High' On Priority List For his part, Trump insisted the war remains "very high" on his priority list, even as his administration devotes increasing attention to Iran. "There's tremendous hatred" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump said, underscoring the difficulty of brokering a deal. "Sometim...