The French leader told reporters that no credible border-change proposals are currently on the table.
Russia claims the EU is “sabotaging” Washington and Moscow’s talks.
France, and Germany and the UK threaten to use the “snapback mechanism” that was part of a 2015 international deal with Tehran.
Merz’s office said the conference call would discuss “further options to exert pressure on Russia” and “preparation of possible peace negotiations.”
During the phone call on Tuesday the Russian president expressed appreciation for “the self-sacrificing spirit displayed by service personnel of the Korean People’s Army in liberating Kursk.”
Two decades of socialist rule look set to end as right-wing challengers promise radical economic reforms.
EU leaders reaffirm Ukraine’s sovereignty but play no direct role as Trump prepares to meet Putin.
Firefighters were hard at work in Spain, Italy, and Portugal, while many French stations were reporting record-breaking temperatures.
Leaders from across Israel condemn the defacing of Judaism’s holiest prayer site with Hebrew graffiti denouncing the war in Gaza.
The incident is the latest in a series of suspected undersea attacks since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to Prime Minister Albanese, a two-state solution offers the best chance to end conflict and ease the humanitarian crisis.
The U.S. president will host his Russian counterpart in Alaska on Friday.
