World · Europe · 8 hrs ago
Germany reaffirms support for Zelensky after Trump calls for his removal
Germany has reaffirmed its support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after US President Donald Trump called for him to be replaced.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin stood by Ukraine and its government.
He made the remarks at a meeting of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats on Oct.
11.
Germany is the largest European donor to Ukraine and said it would keep its sanctions on Russia in place.
Wadephul said Russia needed more pressure to become willing to negotiate.
His comments came after Trump said his administration had temporarily lifted US sanctions on Russian fuel.
The statements point to a growing difference between Berlin and Washington over how to handle Russia and support Ukraine.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul restated Germany’s support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Oct 11.
His remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s call the previous day for Zelensky to be replaced.
Wadephul urged increased pressure on Russia to bring it back to peace talks.
Germany said it would maintain sanctions against Russia despite the US temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian fuel.
- Who
- German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reaffirmed support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- What
- Germany restated its support for Zelensky and called for more pressure on Russia to resume peace talks.
- When
- Oct 11, following Trump’s call on Oct 10 for Zelensky to be replaced.
- Where
- At a leadership meeting of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats in Berlin.
- Why
- Wadephul said more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin was needed to make Moscow ready to negotiate.
Germany
Donald Trump
Zelensky’s position
Germany
Germany said it fully supported Zelensky as he carried out his duties.
Donald Trump
Trump called for Ukraine to replace Zelensky.
Pressure on Russia
Germany
Wadephul called for more pressure on Putin to make Russia ready to negotiate.
Donald Trump
Trump announced a temporary US lifting of sanctions on Russian fuel.
We don’t need less pressure, we need more pressure on Putin to make him be ready to negotiate
and fully support the president as he carries out his difficult duties
consistency and clarity
Wadephul met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Trump called for Zelensky to be replaced.
Wadephul restated Germany’s support for Zelensky and urged more pressure on Russia to resume peace talks.
Germany said it would maintain sanctions against Russia despite the US temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian fuel.
- German foreign minister
- Johann Wadephul
- Ukrainian president
- Volodymyr Zelensky
- Trump’s call
- Oct 10: called for Zelensky to be replaced
- Germany’s position
- Said on Oct 11 it would maintain sanctions against Russia
- Wadephul-Lavrov meeting
- September, on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York







