German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also said he did not believe that Russia would respond to peace proposals. (EPA Images pic)BERLIN: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday that Russia would only negotiate "seriously" under pressure, days after President Donald Trump announced a temporary easing of US sanctions on Russian diesel.
"For Germany and for Europe, such a decision is out of the question," said Merz, referring to the US-Russia diesel deal.
"Russia will only negotiate seriously under pressure, and that is why we are maintaining our sanctions against Russia."
Trump announced Friday that he had spoken to President Vladimir Putin, and they struck an agreement for Russia to release large amounts of diesel onto world markets.
