German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Donald Trump discussed Ukraine in a phone call Friday, a German government spokesman said, as the US steps up pressure for a peace deal with Russia.

BERLIN (Reuters) -German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday that he is not convinced that a solution agreeable to Ukraine based on the United States' 28-point plan will be found by the deadline set by President Donald Trump.

European leaders were blindsided by President Trump’s 28-point-plan to end the Ukraine war, setting off a dash for influence.

Nearly three-quarters of German adults say relations with the United States are bad, while only 24% of U.S adults say the same of relations with Germany.

The remarks came as Ukrainian, American and international negotiators met in Switzerland to discuss Trump's 28-point "peace plan" to end the Russia-Ukraine war, US News, Times Now

A group of European and NATO leaders adopted a joint statement on Saturday expressing their concern over the 28-point peace plan proposed to Ukraine by US President Donald Trump. France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Norway, Canada, Japan, Australia, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain met on the margins of the G20 summit in Johannesburg.

Macron and Trump's complex relationship mixes rivalry with diplomacy as France pushes for European independence from U.S. influence in defense and foreign policy.

The United States wants Germany to take over the command of Nato forces in Europe, Donald Trump ’s envoy to the alliance has said. Matthew Whitaker, the US ambassador to Nato, said he is looking forward to Germany stepping up to take over the position of supreme allied commander Europe (Saceur).

To keep talks moving, Trump confirmed that US envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow next, while Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll—who recently took part in quiet discussions with Russian official

Trump’s proposals deliver so many gains to Putin that they become a reward for war. Issuing the draft plan with a short deadline was a shameful act.