Germany's outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday discussed U.S. President Donald Trump's role in negotiations to achieve peace in Kyiv's three-year-old war with Russia.

UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer has invited the outgoing German chancellor and other key leaders to a defence meeting in London on Sunday. View on euronews

German chancellor Olaf Scholz conceded defeat for his centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) after what he called “a bitter election result” on Sunday. Exit polls showed his party finishing in third place, taking just 16 per cent of the votes, with its worst postwar result in a national parliamentary election.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized Ukraine's desire for peace and distanced himself from Donald Trump after a tense White House meeting between the US leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday.

Germany’s Olaf Scholz calls serving as chancellor ‘a great honor’ Chancellor ... “Europe stands unwaveringly by Ukraine’s side,” Merz posted on X. “Now more than ever, it holds true: We must put Ukraine in a position of strength.”

Germany's Olaf Scholz, Friedrich Merz hold rallies in final days ahead of federal election As Sunday’s snap federal election nears, political parties are intensifying their efforts in the final stretch to drum up support.

Polls have opened in Germany's parliamentary election that was brought forward by the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz' ruling coalition in November. Polls opened at 8 a.m. and are set to close at 6 p.

Germany's conservatives led by Friedrich Merz won the elections, securing over 28% of the vote, while the far-right AfD gained over 20%. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's SPD suffered a historic low with 16%.

Exit poll expected soon with all eyes on far-right after pivotal vote - Germany heads to the polls for the fourth snap election in its history

German voters cast their ballots in Sunday’s election, and early exit poll data shows opposition leader Friedrich Merz’s conservatives in the lead. It also indicates that Alternative for Germany is heading for the strongest showing for a far-right party since World War II.

Olaf Scholz, who broke unpopularity records as Chancellor ... Mr Musk used his social media platform X to amplify the party’s message, livestreaming a chat in early January with Alice Weidel ...