Germany has reaffirmed its support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after US President Donald Trump called for a change in Ukraine’s leadership, deepening visible differences between Washington and European capitals over the war.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany would continue supporting Ukraine and argued that pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin should increase rather than ease. Berlin also signalled that it would maintain its sanctions policy toward Moscow despite Washington’s announcement of a diesel arrangement with Russia.
Trump’s remarks questioning Zelenskyy’s position prompted concern among Ukraine’s European partners, who have repeatedly stressed that decisions about the country’s leadership belong to Ukrainians. The dispute comes as allies debate the terms of any potential halt to attacks on energy infrastructure and the guarantees needed to make such an arrangement credible.
The contrasting positions underline growing strain within the transatlantic alliance over how to pursue negotiations and whether economic measures against Russia should be relaxed. European governments say any durable settlement must be accompanied by clear commitments and security assurances.
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