In light of the joint statement by several European countries that Russian opposition figure Alexei Nawalny may have died from a poisoning, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said a tightening of sanctions against Russia is not ruled out. He noted in the “Report from Berlin” by the ARD Hauptstadtstudio that an extensive sanctions regime has already been imposed. “Making it more effective, tightening it, forcing Russia to feel the impact even more – that definitely has German support” Wadephul said when asked about Britain’s announcement of a coordinated tightening.
After German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and French President Emmanuel Macron opened discussions on a European nuclear shield at the Munich Security Conference, Wadephul pointed to the protection already in place through NATO partners. “The American shield exists. No one in Washington questions it. I strongly advise against questioning it from a European perspective” he said. He also noted that France and the UK, as European NATO members, already possess the relevant nuclear armament.