German Chancellor Friedrich Merz used the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on 10 July to rally international backing for Kyiv, telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that Europe "will not give up" and appealing to US President Donald Trump to "stay with the Europeans" in sustaining military and financial aid to Ukraine. Merz said he had spoken with Trump about purchasing additional US-made Patriot air-defence systems for transfer to Kyiv, adding that Berlin is ready to fund the acquisition once Washington agrees. The Chancellor also reiterated Germany’s full support for Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union. Turning to intra-EU tensions, Merz publicly pressed Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to withdraw Bratislava’s veto on the bloc’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, noting that Slovakia is the only member state still blocking the measure. The conference, co-hosted by Italy and Ukraine, also featured European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s announcement of a €2.3 billion financing package and a €220 million flagship fund intended to leverage private investment for Ukraine’s reconstruction.