Friedrich Merz, who is likely to be Germany's next chancellor, says the Oval Office clash between Ukraine and American leaders was "manufactured". (Reuters: Fabrizio Bensch)
In short:
CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who is likely to be Germany's next chancellor, has labelled the response to Volodymyr Zelenskyy by Donald Trump and JD Vance as a "manufactured escalation".
Members of the Trump administration have rejected allegations Mr Trump and Mr Vance sought to ambush the Ukrainian president after the extraordinary shouting match.
What's next?
The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says she will unveil a re-armament plan for Europe on Tuesday.
Friedrich Merz, who is likely to be Germany's next chancellor, says the Oval Office clash between Donald Trump, US Vice President JD Vance, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a "manufactured escalation".
It comes a day after European leaders met to discuss the future of Ukraine and their own security, with leaders vowing to up defence spending in the face of Russian aggression.
Mr Merz, whose Christian Democrat party won the most votes in last month's German election, is expected to be chancellor once coalition talks are finalised.
At a press conference in the German city of Hamburg on Monday, Mr Merz weighed in on the stunning White House confrontation between the US and Ukrainian presidents.
"It was not a spontaneous reaction to interventions by Zelenskyy, but obviously a manufactured escalation in this meeting in the Oval Office,"
he said.
"Europe is now under huge pressure to act quickly."
During his election victory speech in February, Mr Merz stated Germany and Europe needed to pursue greater independence from the United States.
The Oval Office clash between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump has shocked many of the US' close allies. (Reuters: Brian Snyder)
Members of the Trump administration have downplayed arguments that Mr Zelenskyy was ambushed by Mr Trump and Mr Vance.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a long-time supporter of Mr Trump, instead called for the Ukrainian president to resign.
No Ukraine security guarantees 'will be failure': Zelenskyy
On Sunday, local time, leaders from Europe and Canada met to discuss the Ukraine war, reaffirming their support for Kyiv.
As part of the meeting, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed the UK and France would begin working on a peace plan for the country.
UK's prime minister warns Europe at 'crossroads in history'
Photo shows Close up headshot of Starmer and Zelenskyy talking.
Member states also promised to continue supplying arms to Ukraine during the war and to provide military equipment after to ensure the country can defend itself in the event of further Russian aggression.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she planned to inform EU member states of her plans to strengthen the continent's defence industry and military capabilities.
"We need a massive surge in defence, without any question. We want lasting peace, but lasting peace can only be built on strength, and strength begins with strengthening ourselves," she said.
Following the crisis summit on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that France and Britain were proposing a one-month truce in Ukraine "in the air, at sea and on energy infrastructure" although not, initially at least, covering ground fighting.
Mr Zelenskyy told journalists shortly before departing Britain that "it will be a failure for everyone if Ukraine is forced into a ceasefire without serious security guarantees".Â
He predicted that Russia would break the deal and Ukraine would retaliate.
"Who will benefit for this? The Russians, but definitely not us."Â
Reuters/AFP