The media learned about Merz's consultations with Starmer and Macron before the meeting with Trump

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz consulted with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron on how to behave in the Oval Office with US President Donald Trump. This was reported by The Washington Post on June 5, citing European diplomats.

"Merz consulted with other leaders who had successful meetings with Trump <...> about the best ways to hold meetings in the Oval Office, where there are sometimes ambushes," the newspaper said.

It is clarified that such a statement was made as a result of Merz's visit to Washington, during which he held talks with Trump on June 5. During the meeting, the leaders of the two countries discussed many issues, including support for Ukraine, trade relations and bilateral issues.

According to one of the diplomats, Merz and Trump had previously had a telephone conversation, specifying that after that they exchanged mobile phone numbers and now address each other by name.

According to the newspaper, during Trump's first term, he was not always able to properly interact with international leaders. However, over almost ten years of his political career, the American leader has turned "from a novice into a wise man," so now his relations with leaders have improved.

Merz faded: in Germany, for the first time in history, the first round of the election of the chancellor failed

It was decided to hold a repeat vote on the same day.

On June 4, Bloomberg reported that Merz did not intend to enter into disputes with the American president at a personal meeting, unlike Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. It is clarified that before the meeting, the German Chancellor was advised not to interrupt Trump and let him talk most of the time, and if something goes wrong, he should be ready to "soften" this dialogue.