President Donald Trump said Thursday that it might be better to let Ukraine and Russia "fight for a while" before pulling them apart and pursuing peace, even as Germany's new chancellor appealed to him as the "key person in the world" who could halt the bloodshed by pressuring Russian President Vladimir Putin.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz successfully navigated a 40-minute meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Office without falling victim to the public humiliation the American president has doled out to other leaders — even though both Germany and Europe are two of Trump’s perpetual irritants.

Newly elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is meeting with President Trump at the White House on Thursday.

U.S. President Donald Trump sidestepped questions on June 5 as to when he can be expected to impose additional sanctions on Russia, as the Kremlin continues to reject a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Donald Trump dodged questions regarding the deadline for imposing further sanctions on Russia, as the Kremlin continues to reject a ceasefire in Ukraine. The American president has repeatedly threatened to impose sanctions on Russia if he doesn't see progress in peace talks between Kiev and Moscow.