German Chancellor Merz rejects US-Russia diesel deal, demands tougher sanctions on Moscow

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly rejected a US-Russia diesel deal and called for tougher sanctions on Moscow, citing Russia's massive attacks on Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure in response to Trump's weekend energy truce proposal. This marks a notable divergence between Berlin and Washington on Russia policy, potentially complicating transatlantic unity ahead of further Ukraine aid discussions. The rejection signals a hardening of the German position and raises uncertainty over the viability of any negotiated energy truce.