BERLIN, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that the recent agreement between the United States and Russia regarding diesel exports is "out of the question" for Germany and Europe.
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Merz said Germany is adhering to the sanctions against Russia and pledged continued support for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can fully rely on both Germany and Europe, said Merz.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump and then Trump announced an agreement with Putin for Russia to supply diesel fuel to the United States and global markets.
On Saturday, the Russian government partially lifted restrictions on diesel fuel exports that had been in effect since the beginning of 2026.
Trump also announced an "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine.
However, Merz dismissed prospects of immediate peace negotiations under current conditions.
He said EU leaders will continue working toward a just and lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine at an upcoming EU summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.
The remarks were made following a two-day leadership retreat of Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party.
At the press conference, Merz also addressed issues of domestic economic challenges and energy tax relief.
The CDU has suffered setbacks in several recent state elections, including failing to enter the state legislature in northeastern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for the first time.
Merz vowed to accelerate pending social and economic reforms, including lowering energy prices. ■
