Merz urges Russia to accept energy ceasefire after talks with Zelensky

German Chancellor Merz, after a call with Zelensky, publicly pressed Russia to agree to an energy ceasefire, citing continued Russian strikes on civilian and energy infrastructure despite a US-brokered truce announcement. This signals European diplomatic pressure on Moscow and highlights the fragility of the US-mediated ceasefire framework. The effectiveness of the appeal and Russia's response remain uncertain.