German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday he believes it is “clear” a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not take place.

“This is in contrast to what was agreed between (U.S.) President (Donald) Trump and President Putin last week when we were together in Washington,” Merz said on Thursday.

A diplomatic push to end the war appeared to gain momentum shortly after that meeting between Trump and Putin, but few details have emerged about the next steps since.

Western leaders have accused Putin of dragging his feet in peace efforts and avoiding serious negotiations while Russian troops move deeper into Ukraine.

Merz was received by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Fort de Bregancon, a presidential summer residence in Bormes-les-Mimosas, south-east of France.

They were expected to discuss a wide range of diplomatic issues such as security guarantees for Ukraine, Iran’ nuclear program and the situation is Gaza.

Macron and Merz will be joined by 20 ministers of their respective government on Friday in the city port of Toulon.

The Franco-German Cabinet meeting aims at coordinating politics between the two countries at the highest level.