Frankfurt (Germany), 12 May (LaPresse) – ’The fact that Chancellor Friedrich Merz travelled to Kiev with his colleagues over the weekend, together with President Zelensky, and then had a telephone conversation with President Trump, was also a strong signal from Europe. We have sent a clear message to Vladimir Putin: he must now be ready to negotiate, there must be a ceasefire, a truce.’ This was stated by German Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil upon his arrival at the Eurogroup meeting. ’This is the pressure now on Vladimir Putin, this is the clear expectation and the ball is now in his court. We are prepared in case he does not do so, but, I repeat, we expect negotiations to take place. We are ready for this, and this has been an important signal for Europe,’ Klingbeil added.