Germany explains how Putin at G20 could open path to ending war
Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
Participation of Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the G20 summit could mark the start of serious peace talks on ending Russia's war against Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says.
According to the German diplomat, if such an opportunity does arise, it should not be missed.
Wadephul believes the G20 summit could also help determine whether the Kremlin chief is ready to discuss ending the fighting.
"Repeatedly we have asked the Russian government and Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiation table. And if it is a possibility, then perhaps it would be at least a start to serious negotiations," the minister said.
He also stressed that a ceasefire is an important condition for holding negotiations.
Notably, Wadephul's comments about Putin's potential participation in the G20 summit clash with the position of other German officials.
For example, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's spokesperson Stefan Kornelius recently said that "the German government does not view relations with Russia as business as usual."
In this way, Berlin officially indicated that it does not support inviting the Kremlin leader to this summit.
As previously reported, US senators had called on Trump to cancel Putin's invitation to the G20 summit.
The media also reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would consider a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin at the G20 summit.
