The United States officially congratulated Friedrich Merz on Tuesday after he was sworn in as Germany’s new chancellor. The US Department of State, through spokesperson Tammy Bruce, expressed its commitment to continue working closely with Germany's new leadership to maintain the security of both the United States and Europe.

Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), was elected by the German parliament in the second round of voting and took the oath of office with a pledge to approach his duties with courage and confidence. "I accept my election as Chancellor of Germany with gratitude and respect for the task," Merz said following his swearing-in.

On Wednesday, Merz made his first international visit as chancellor to Paris, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron. During a joint press conference, Merz emphasized the indispensable role of the United States in ending the war in Ukraine. "We cannot end this war in Ukraine without a continued involvement of the United States of America. This is not something that Europeans can substitute for," Merz stated firmly.

Macron, standing alongside Merz, expressed doubts about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement, questioning whether Moscow would honor its promises, particularly those made in discussions with the US administration. "Will he finally decide to keep his word? That is what matters to us," Macron said.

The developments underscore the importance of US-European cooperation in addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and highlight the strong transatlantic ties that both Merz and Macron are aiming to uphold during these challenging times.