German Chancellor Friedrich Merz asked U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Munich on Friday (February 13) to discuss Ukraine with him, “our most critical challenge.”

Merz made his remarks during a bilateral meeting with Rubio on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) which was, among other topics, to focus on transatlantic relations.

As Ukraine prepares for another round of peace talks as early as next week, the Trump administration is increasing the pressure for concessions to Russia in a push to end the war by early summer, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing Ukrainian officials.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

ermany’s Merz tells Rubio in Munich ‘our most critical challenge is Ukraine’

VIDEO SHOWS: U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO AND GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ HOLDING BILATERAL MEETING

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: MUNICH, GERMANY (FEBRUARY 13, 2026) (ZDF POOL - Access all)

1. U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO AND GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ POSING FOR CAMERAS ON SIDELINES OF MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE (MSC)

2. MERZ AND RUBIO SEATED AT TABLE FOR BILATERAL MEETING, MERZ HEARD TELLING RUBIO “OUR MOST CRITICAL CHALLENGE FOR US IS UKRAINE AND MAYBE WE COULD SPEAK ABOUT THAT AFTER THEY LEFT” AS HE TURNS TO CAMERA CREWS

3. RUBIO LISTENING / MERZ SEATED NEXT TO HIS FOREIGN MINISTER, JOHANN WADEPHUL

MUNICH, GERMANY (FEBRUARY 13, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

4. RUBIO ARRIVING OUTSIDE MSC VENUE, FILMED EARLIER