Germany's Merz asks Trump for 'no surprises' from Putin talks

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged U.S. President Donald Trump to avoid surprising European leaders during expected talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Ukraine. Merz cited concerns that the meeting in China could become another pivotal moment in diplomacy over the war.

BERLIN, Nov 13 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday urged US President Donald Trump not to spring any surprises during expected talks on Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin in China next week. "Some here in Dublin fear this could turn into a 'second Anchorage moment'," said Merz, referring to the Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage, Alaska, that European leaders had viewed as a potentially pivotal moment in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.