At a Glance

• German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reaffirmed support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following Donald Trump’s call for his removal.
• Wadephul said more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin was needed to bring Moscow back to negotiations.
• Germany said it would maintain sanctions against Russia despite Washington’s decision to temporarily ease restrictions on Russian fuel.
• The UK also reiterated its commitment to strengthening sanctions against Moscow.

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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reaffirmed Berlin’s support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday and called for increased pressure on Russia to resume peace negotiations. His remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s call for Zelensky to be replaced, highlighting differences between Washington and key European allies over how to approach the war.

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Key Statements

Speaking at a leadership meeting of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Wadephul said Germany continued to stand with Ukraine and its government.

“We fully support the President as he carries out his difficult duties,” Wadephul said.

He also called for a stronger approach toward Moscow, arguing that easing pressure would not encourage negotiations.

“We don’t need less pressure, we need more pressure on Putin to make him be ready to negotiate,” Wadephul said. “That is what this moment requires and that’s what the government stands for.”

Focus Area: Germany Maintains Pressure on Moscow

Wadephul’s remarks came after Trump criticized Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure and announced a diesel supply agreement with Moscow. The US administration’s temporary easing of sanctions on Russian fuel has raised concerns among Ukraine’s European partners about the consistency of Western policy toward Russia.

Germany said on Saturday that it would maintain sanctions against Moscow. As one of Ukraine’s principal European supporters, Berlin has continued providing assistance, including support for repairing Ukraine’s damaged energy infrastructure.

The dispute reflects differing approaches to the relationship between economic pressures, energy supplies and efforts to end the war. Trump has linked Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries to rising diesel prices, while Kyiv argues that strikes on Russian energy facilities are part of its response to Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.

UK Reaffirms Support for Ukraine

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also spoke with Zelensky on Saturday, according to a Downing Street spokesperson, and said the UK would continue strengthening sanctions against Russia.

The statements from Berlin and London indicate continued European efforts to coordinate support for Ukraine as Washington’s approach to Russian fuel supplies and negotiations becomes a point of disagreement.

FYI

Germany’s response underscores the importance of continued European backing for Kyiv amid uncertainty over Washington’s policy. Berlin’s position combines political support for Zelensky with an emphasis on maintaining economic pressure on Moscow, on the grounds that Russia must be persuaded to negotiate. The central question is whether differences among Ukraine’s partners over sanctions, energy supplies and the terms of diplomacy will affect their ability to sustain a coordinated approach to the war.

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