Germany's likely next chancellor, a conservative, Friedrich Merz warned Europe should seek "independence" from the US as it grapples with the Trump administration's lack of support for Ukraine. France's Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron made very clear he believes Putin was "the aggressor" in Ukraine.

President Trump and France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, repeatedly exchanged compliments and friendly gestures during a White House meeting this afternoon. But on the topic of Ukraine, the divergence between the two leaders was evident.

Germany's election winner Friedrich Merz wants to form a government quickly in order to revive a moribund economy, hike defence spending and tackle diplomatic challenges ranging from a confrontational Trump administration to ending the Ukraine war.

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the centre-Right Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), has emerged as the winner of Germany’s elections.