German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called for solidarity between European countries and the United States regarding sanctions pressure on Russia due to its ongoing aggression against Ukraine, particularly the recent massive shelling.
This was reported by ZDF Heute.
The German official stated that such pressure, including the introduction of new restrictions, should continue until the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin begins to take real diplomatic steps toward peace with Ukraine.
“We must maintain pressure so that Putin finally sits down at the negotiating table, so that Russia finally enters into serious negotiations,” said Wadephul, a representative of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union party.
He made this statement before his departure for his first visit to the US as Germany’s Foreign Minister, in light of ongoing shelling by Russian forces on Ukrainian cities and the intensification of attacks, despite official Moscow’s statements regarding peace negotiations.
“We want to finally put an end to the deaths of people in Ukraine, we want an immediate ceasefire, and we want lasting peace,” Wadephul emphasized.
The German minister also added that “Europeans will continue to strengthen sanctions, and the US Congress is also ready for new sanctions.”
In Washington, Wadephul plans to meet with his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, on Wednesday, May 28. He will discuss a joint approach to current international crises with the US Secretary of State.
