Washington D.C., United States – German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is set to arrive in the United States, where he will advocate for tougher sanctions against Russia. The Minister emphasized the need to end the war in Ukraine, establish an immediate ceasefire and achieve a lasting peace.
According to Wadephul, to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, the international community must maintain pressure. He believes that the European Union and the United States must work together to increase the pressure through sanctions, citing the readiness of the US Congress to impose more sanctions on Russia.
In a separate context, the Minister highlighted the importance of the transatlantic partnership, stating that Germany owes a significant debt to the United States. He reiterated his support for increasing investments in Germany’s defense and infrastructure, as previously proposed by the NATO Secretary General, to reach 5% of the country’s gross domestic product.
The Minister’s trip to the United States will also focus on the situation in Israel and the trade dispute. Wadephul expressed Germany’s commitment to Israel’s security and existence, while also emphasizing the country’s obligation to humanitarian law and the suffering of the people in Gaza. He called for a breakthrough in the negotiations for a ceasefire, leading to the release of hostages and a massive expansion of humanitarian aid.
The Minister also emphasized the need for a two-state solution as the best chance for lasting peace in the region and expressed his desire to work with the United States to make this a reality. In a globalized world, Wadephul believes that new trade barriers should not be built, but rather “stable bridges of partnership and trust” should be constructed. He will support the European Commission in finding a balanced solution to the trade dispute, with the goal of eliminating unnecessary trade barriers and promoting fair trade between the two nations.