Frankfurt (Germany), 5 October (LaPresse) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke by telephone today with the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump. This was announced by German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius in a statement. Merz and Trump ‘discussed developments in Gaza. They agreed on the need to reach a quick agreement during the upcoming talks in Egypt. All hostages must be released, the fighting must cease, and Hamas must lay down its arms. After almost two years of war, it is time for peace,’ the statement read. Merz and Truno "also discussed the situation in Ukraine. The Chancellor reported on the initiative to use frozen Russian assets to support the Ukrainian armed forces. Both agreed to continue working together for a swift end to Russia's war of aggression," the statement concluded.