German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed on Wednesday that the United States remains essential to ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Merz said Europe cannot replace Washington’s role in securing a ceasefire and long-term guarantees for Kiev.

"We cannot end this war in Ukraine without a continued involvement of the United States of America, this is not something that Europeans can substitute for," Merz stated.

His remarks came during Merz's first foreign trip as chancellor, where Macron expressed doubts about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would respect the three-day ceasefire. "Will he finally decide to keep his word, especially the promises he made in his discussions with the US administration? That is what matters to us," Macron said.