The German Foreign Minister reaffirms support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy and calls for increased pressure on Russia

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reaffirmed Berlin’s support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday and called for increased pressure on Russia to resume peace negotiations. The statements were made after U.S. President Donald Trump called for Zelenskyy to be replaced.

Wadephul stated, during a meeting of the leadership of the Christian Democratic Union, the party of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, that Germany remains at Ukraine’s and its government’s side and fully supports the Ukrainian president in carrying out his responsibilities.

The German minister argued that “consistency and clarity” are needed in supporting Ukraine and persuading Moscow to negotiate.

“We do not need less pressure, but more pressure on Putin,” Wadephul said.

Berlin’s position highlights the growing differences with Washington. Germany, Ukraine’s largest European donor, has announced that it will maintain sanctions against Russia, while Trump said that his administration had temporarily lifted U.S. sanctions on Russian fuel and criticized Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s oil infrastructure.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also told Zelenskyy that the United Kingdom would continue to tighten sanctions against Moscow.