German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Thursday, discussing the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.

Axar.az reports, citing German media, according to German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius, the two leaders commemorated the 25th anniversary of the attacks, and Merz highlighted the close ties between Germany and the United States.

Merz and Trump also discussed the next steps toward ending the war in Ukraine. Merz welcomed the US Congress’s passage of the Graham sanctions bill, which seeks to increase pressure on Russia over its war against Ukraine.

The two leaders also discussed the tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. They agreed on the need to reopen both waterways quickly.

Relations between Berlin and Washington have recently faced tensions following Merz’s criticism of US actions in the Iran war, as well as ongoing disputes over tariffs.