German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke by telephone with U.S. President Donald Trump on 4 July, focusing on potential deliveries of additional air-defence systems to Ukraine, Der Spiegel reported. The leaders discussed whether U.S.-made platforms such as Patriot batteries could strengthen Kyiv’s capabilities amid continuing Russian missile and drone attacks, according to the magazine. Spiegel added that Berlin has been stepping up efforts to source more air-defence equipment for Ukraine and views cooperation with Washington as critical to any expansion of supplies. Merz and Trump also exchanged views on broader trade matters, the report said, without providing further details.