The black-red coalition is counting on President Trump’s realization that President Putin does not want to end the war in Ukraine during the planned phone call on Monday morning. “Trump will finally realize that Putin does not have a genuine desire for peace” said Jürgen Hardt, the foreign policy spokesperson of the Union fraction, to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”. He believes that the massive drone attacks on Ukraine over the weekend cannot be interpreted otherwise. “Goodwill looks different” said Hardt.
Norbert Röttgen, the deputy leader of the Union fraction, also stated: “President Trump must understand that it is only Putin who does not want a ceasefire or serious negotiations.” The pressure on Putin to agree to an unconditional and temporary ceasefire must continue.
Dirk Wiese, the first parliamentary manager of the SPD fraction, said to the RND that talks are always to be welcomed. However, he warned: “It is important that nothing is decided about Ukraine without Ukraine.