BERLIN, Aug 13 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday European leaders had urged U.S. President Donald Trump in a virtual meeting to work towards a peace in Ukraine that safeguarded European and Ukrainian security interests.
Speaking ahead of a meeting on Friday between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Merz said that Ukraine was prepared to negotiate on territorial issues, but "legal recognition of Russian occupation is not up for debate".
"If the United States of America now work towards peace in Ukraine that safeguards European and Ukrainian interests, he can count on our full support in this endeavour," said Merz at the joint conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.