German FM reacts to Trump's call for Ukraine to choose new leader
Photo: Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany (Getty Images)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the German government support Volodymyr Zelenskyy as president of Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said, according to Reuters.
Wadephul stressed that Germany continues to support Ukraine and its government and "fully support the President as he carries out his difficult duties."
He made the remarks during a meeting of the leadership of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the party led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The comments came after Trump called on Saturday for Zelenskyy's replacement. According to journalists, the remarks highlighted a deepening rift between Berlin and Washington.
Germany, Ukraine's largest European donor, reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining sanctions against Russia on Saturday. This came despite Trump's announcement of a temporary suspension of US sanctions on Russian fuel.
Wadephul, who met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last month, said it was necessary to maintain "consistency and clarity" in supporting Ukraine and pushing Moscow toward negotiations.
"We don't need less pressure, we need more pressure on Putin to make him ready to negotiate. That is what this moment requires, and that's what the government stands for," Wadephul said.
RBC-Ukraine previously explained why Trump suddenly called on Ukrainians to elect a new president to replace Zelenskyy.
It also reported on Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha's response to Trump's statement.
