#european-leadership

#european-leadership

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said Europe is failing to assert itself on the global stage. "What worries me, and I have to admit weighs on me, is that we Europeans are not currently taking the role in the world that we want and should play to properly protect our interests," Merz told CDU.TV, the official media channel of his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party. He pointed to the war in Ukraine as one example, saying Europe lacks the leverage to pressure Russia.

Trump expressed his preference for a ceasefire, emphasizing that it would 'immediately stop the killing', while also noting that a peace agreement is 'very attainable'.

European leaders had hoped that President Donald Trump would backtrack or that Iran would blink. Instead, they face an ever more dangerous world.

The event showcased Europe's commitment to sovereignty, but the AI-generated baby montage, including a tiny mustached Erdoğan, brought mixed reactions from serious political leaders.