German Chancellor leaves for Washington under shadow of Middle East conflict

Merzi will be the first European leader to meet with Trump since the beginning of the operation, which has blocked one of the world's major oil transport routes and plunged global air transport into chaos.

On Sunday, Merzi, who has returned from China last week, has not voiced criticism, but has also not fully supported the operation, which Trump critics have said was undertaken without sufficient explanation and without the necessary legal basis under international law.

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Therefore, we will not lecture our partners for their military attacks against Iran.

Despite all doubts, we share many of their goals”, he added.

On Sunday, Merzi has joined French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, claiming they were willing to work with the United States “to protect our interests and those of our allies in the region”.

However, the war has again revealed how much Europe has been set aside from Washington in strategic operations that directly affect its security and prosperity.

Merzi's visit is expected to be dominated by efforts to reform Germany's transatlantic relations, following heavy criticism of the Trump administration to Europe over the past year on issues ranging from defence spending on trade and immigration policy.

Merz, a life-long Atlantist, has said that Europe must acknowledge that the world has entered a new era of rivalry, where more must stand at its feet. However, he has been careful not to close the door to the alliance with the US. /Koha.net/