German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Thursday that Ukraine and Europe must be included in peace talks, following discussions between the U.S. and Russian presidents about the conflict.
“We can’t have talks without involving Ukraine, and peace in Europe is at stake, that’s why we Europeans need to be brought in,” Baerbock said in an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio.
U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the war in Ukraine on Wednesday in phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
‘Not Informed In Advance’
The German foreign minister said she had not been informed of the calls in advance.
“This is the way the Trump administration operates. That is why constant mutual communication is needed with the various players. That, too, is different from other times. This is not how others do foreign policy, but this is now the reality,” said Baerbock, a member of the Greens party.
Assuming ‘More Responsibility’
The co-leader of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats on Thursday told Reuters that Europe and Germany needed to assume more responsibility.
“What is needed now is a swift and firm signal and also an offer extended to the United States,” said party co-leader Lars Klingbeil.
Trump has ordered top U.S. officials to begin talks on ending the war, but has not spelled out exactly how he would accomplish this.
Europe Pushes For Role
European powers, including Britain, France, and Germany, said on Wednesday that they must be involved in any future negotiations regarding Ukraine’s fate, emphasising that a fair agreement with security guarantees is essential for lasting peace.
“Our shared objectives should be to put Ukraine in a position of strength. Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations,” a joint statement of seven countries and the European Commission said.
(With inputs from Reuters)
