Trump Suggests to Let Ukraine and Russia ‘Fight For a While’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ During a White House meeting, President Trump said it might be better to let Ukraine and Russia “fight for a while” before intervening. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz countered by reaffirming Germany’s strong support for Ukraine. The leaders also discussed NATO, trade, and democratic values.
Trump Ukraine Comments Quick Looks
- Trump likened Ukraine-Russia war to a schoolyard fight, suggesting delay in peace push.
- Merz responded firmly, reiterating Germany’s full support for Ukraine and condemnation of Russia.
- Trump emphasized he’s not ruling out future sanctions against either side.
- Defense spending, trade disputes, and democratic norms also featured in the Oval Office talks.
- Trump is pushing NATO allies like Germany to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP.
- Merz seeks to reignite Germany’s stalled economy and avoid new US tariffs.
- Tensions flared recently over US Vice President Vance’s remarks about German politics.
- Trump and Merz have built a “decent” early relationship, but key policy divides remain.
Trump Suggests to Let Ukraine and Russia ‘Fight For a While’
Deep Look
Trump Says It Might Be Best to Let Ukraine, Russia ‘Fight for a While’ Before Pushing Peace
WASHINGTON — In a controversial remark made during a high-profile meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House, President Donald Trump suggested it could be better to allow Ukraine and Russia to continue fighting before intervening diplomatically.
“Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight for a while and then pulling them apart,” Trump said Thursday in the Oval Office, likening the brutal conflict to a playground brawl between two combative children. Trump added that he used the same metaphor in a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Merz Pushes Back, Reaffirms Ukraine Support
Chancellor Merz, seated beside Trump during the exchange, acknowledged their shared view that the war is a tragedy but underscored Germany’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
“We are on the side of Ukraine,” Merz said, clarifying that Ukrainian forces are targeting only military installations, not civilians.
The two leaders met in person for the first time, marking a new chapter in US-German relations. Merz presented Trump with a gold-framed birth certificate of Trump’s German-born grandfather and emphasized areas of potential cooperation, including NATO, trade, and Ukraine.
Though both leaders offered diplomatic pleasantries, the difference in tone over Ukraine’s defense was stark.
Trump Signals Conditional Support, Warns of Sanctions
“When I see the moment where it’s not going to stop… we’ll be very, very tough,” Trump said, keeping the threat of sanctions in play but without immediate commitment.
In the past, Trump has favored a realist approach to foreign conflicts and expressed skepticism over long-term U.S. military involvement abroad. His latest comments suggest he sees strategic value in prolonging the status quo before pushing for a resolution.
Merz’s Diplomatic Drive and the Shadow of Merkel
Friedrich Merz, who assumed office on May 6, has already made Ukraine a top foreign policy priority. Days into his term, he traveled to Kyiv and has hosted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin. Merz hopes to sustain German aid levels and even expand Ukraine’s access to long-range missile technology.
Unlike his predecessor Angela Merkel, who had a tense relationship with Trump, Merz has sought to maintain cordial communications with the U.S. president. German officials say the two leaders have spoken several times by phone and via text since Merz’s swearing-in, cultivating what they call a “decent” working relationship.
NATO Spending: Trump Raises the Bar
Defense spending remains another central theme. Trump is pressuring NATO allies to commit 5% of GDP to defense — up from the longstanding 2% benchmark. In response, Merz pointed to constitutional changes in Germany that have already allowed higher spending and reaffirmed his ambition to make the Bundeswehr the strongest conventional army in Europe.
Germany has created a €100 billion ($115 billion) fund to modernize its military forces, but that reserve is projected to run out by 2027. Merz backs a broader European push to reach 3.5% of GDP for defense spending by 2032, plus an additional 1.5% for security infrastructure and related investments.
The upcoming NATO summit in the Netherlands is seen as a key moment for Germany to affirm its commitments.
Trade Disputes: Germany’s Economy Faces US Tariff Threats
The leaders also touched on growing economic tensions. Germany’s economy has shrunk in each of the last two years, and Merz is aiming to re-energize it as a “locomotive of growth” in Europe. However, Trump’s continued threats of higher tariffs, particularly on German cars and auto parts, pose a serious challenge.
Germany exported $160 billion in goods to the United States last year — $85 billion more than it imported. Trump wants to close that gap and has kept a 25% tariff on German auto imports. Despite many German automakers having U.S. factories — such as Volkswagen in Tennessee and BMW in South Carolina — Trump insists the imbalance is unacceptable.
While Merz argued that tariffs “benefit no one and damage everyone,” his ability to influence trade is limited. Those decisions ultimately rest with the European Union’s executive branch. Trump recently delayed implementing a 50% tariff on EU goods, buying time for diplomacy.
Democratic Norms and Political Friction
One under-the-radar source of strain came from a speech earlier this year by Vice President JD Vance in Munich, in which he criticized European leaders’ handling of democratic norms. He took particular aim at Germany’s mainstream parties for refusing to cooperate with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), now the largest opposition party in the Bundestag.
Merz rebuked those comments, telling ARD television that it was inappropriate for a U.S. leader to lecture Germany on its domestic politics. “I wouldn’t do it in America, either,” he said.
Still, Merz remained open to discussing German political dynamics if Trump chose to bring them up. “We are ready,” he said Thursday, while noting that Germany typically avoids commenting on internal U.S. affairs.
