内容摘要："The US is the largest export market for the whole region. Definitely," he tells me. "They are the biggest in volume and the biggest in value."

"The US is the largest export market for the whole region. Definitely," he tells me. "They are the biggest in volume and the biggest in value."

"Whatever Merz says is mood music, rather than being able to say that XYZ will happen, even if major nation states aren't without influence on the European Commission," she explained. "He has to tread a delicate line."When it comes to Ukraine, Merz is vocal in his support of Kyiv and in his criticism of Moscow - recently warning that the fighting could drag on, despite repeated talk of a ceasefire from the White House.

Justin Logan, director of defence and foreign policy studies at the Washington DC-based Cato Institute, told the BBC he believes Ukraine will present a "dilemma" for the German side in the meeting."They'll make a real effort to sell what frankly are the same arguments that have so far failed to persuade the White House," he said.Merz also has called for stiffer EU sanctions on Vladimir Putin and Russia - something Trump has so far not committed to, even as some lawmakers from within his own party have escalated calls to do so.

Earlier this week, Leavitt said only that Trump has "kept this as a tool in his toolbox if necessary"."The strange thing for me is, that we haven't heard President Trump say yet, is that Europe has lots of cards it can play on its own," Mr Logan said, pointing to $228bn in frozen Russian assets held primarily in Belgium.

"That's money that's just sitting there," he said.

From the White House's point of view, the issue of Ukraine's defence is also inextricably linked to Trump's demands that NATO allies raise defence spending to 5% of their GDP.During this time, a participant stitched over the Harry Potter author's name. Last week, this covering

The National Trust, who manage the property, said: "The artwork was open to contributions for eight months and closed in November when the piece was finished and put on public display.""We ask visitors not to tamper with any art on display," they added.

"The piece has been taken off display while we investigate the damage caused and consider next steps."Rowling declined to comment.