Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Germany’s Wadephul Urges Rubio Greater Ukraine Diplomacy Role
Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, plans to speak with Marco Rubio of the United States.
He wants Rubio to take a more active role in trying to end the war in Ukraine.
Wadephul said American diplomatic work has mostly been led by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Germany is also speaking with Turkey, Gulf states and Egypt.
These countries have closer relationships with Russia than many European countries do.
Talks between Russia and the United States have mostly stopped for now.
Russia says it is still willing to hear new ideas from Rubio.
Germany hopes these efforts can help restart peace negotiations.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul plans to call U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday.
Wadephul wants Rubio to become more personally involved in diplomatic efforts concerning the war in Ukraine.
He said U.S. diplomacy has largely been handled by presidential envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Germany is contacting Turkey, Gulf states and Egypt to help restart negotiations.
Russia-U.S. negotiations have largely stalled, while Moscow says it remains open to Rubio’s ideas and continued dialogue.
- Who
- German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul plans to speak with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have been handling much of the U.S. diplomacy.
- What
- Wadephul will urge Rubio to become more personally involved in diplomatic efforts related to the war in Ukraine.
- When
- The phone call is planned for Monday; the report was published August 24.
- Where
- The diplomatic effort concerns Ukraine, with the planned call involving Germany and the United States.
- Why
- Germany wants to help restart negotiations after Russia-U.S. talks largely stalled.
- Planned contact
- Johann Wadephul plans to call Marco Rubio on Monday.
- German request
- Wadephul wants Rubio to take a more active personal role in Ukraine diplomacy.
- Current U.S. envoys
- Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have largely handled U.S. diplomatic efforts, according to Wadephul.
- Additional German contacts
- Germany is engaging Turkey, Gulf states and Egypt.
- State of negotiations
- Russia-U.S. negotiations aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict have largely stalled.
- Russian position
- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia was ready to hear Rubio’s new ideas and continue dialogue.