Germany’s Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, has described the agreement between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as “null and void.” Pistorius criticized the plan to suspend attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days, stating that the Ukrainian energy infrastructure is already well-protected.
Pistorius also claimed that the Russian attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure did not cease after Trump’s phone call with Putin. “Putin is playing a game and I am certain the American President will not be able to see through it for long” the German defense minister said.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas rejected Moscow’s demands for a halt in military aid to Kyiv, calling them unacceptable. “If they achieve a halt in military aid to Ukraine, then they can do as they please, because the Ukrainians cannot defend themselves” Kallas warned in Brussels.
Kallas also stated that Russian President Putin is not willing to make concessions, as evident from the two protocols of the phone call. “When one reads the two protocols of the phone call, it becomes clear that Russia is not willing to make concessions” she said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has set conditions for a ceasefire, including a halt in weapons deliveries to Ukrainian forces and the sharing of intelligence information. The EU and Germany, however, continue to support further weapons deliveries to Kyiv and show no willingness to negotiate a ceasefire.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the agreement on a limited ceasefire as a “first important step” after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Chancellor’s office. The goal, he said, should be a “complete ceasefire.” Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine with military aid.