German Foreign Minister Johann Vaddeful called on Tuesday for stronger pressure on Russia, as well as more aid for Ukraine, in order for Moscow to make concessions to achieve a "just and lasting peace", Reuters reported, BTA reported.
Vaddeful made his remarks from Tokyo as US President Donald Trump prepares to welcome his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to the White House. Their meeting was called after Trump's talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
"Perhaps it would not be an exaggeration to say that the whole world has turned its attention to Washington," the German foreign minister said at a joint briefing with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya.
"Security guarantees are key" because "Ukraine must be able to defend itself effectively even after a ceasefire agreement is reached," he added.
Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other European leaders met yesterday to support Zelensky ahead of the White House meeting.
They welcomed U.S. talks about security guarantees for Ukraine but said Kiev must be included in any negotiations related to the country's territory.