German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed optimism that the Europeans and US President Donald Trump will pull more strongly in the same direction on peace efforts for Ukraine.

Axar.az informs, citing dpa, Merz said detailed discussions had been held with Trump on the next steps and possible further sanctions against Russia.

"What gives us all reason for confidence is President Trump's formulation: Russia must end this war. And I think that is a clear message," Merz told journalists on the sidelines of the summit of the world's leading democratic economies on Tuesday.

Asked whether Trump had given a commitment that he would back new sanctions and that the Europeans would genuinely have a seat at the negotiating table in future, Merz said this had not been called into question at any point.

It was fairly clear that Russia could not win the war militarily, Merz stressed, adding that Russia's economy was also groaning under the weight of the war and sanctions.

"That may open up, perhaps for the first time, a chance for peace," he said.

He had the impression that Trump was "gradually opening up to this assessment as well and is now looking together with us for a way to end this war," Merz added.