Prior to the Trump-Zelenskiy encounter, the German foreign minister calls for further pressure on Russia.

In order to force Moscow to make compromises toward a “just and lasting peace,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Monday called for increased pressure on Russia, including increased funding for Ukraine.

As U.S. President Donald Trump gets ready to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Wadephul gave a speech in Tokyo. The meeting comes after Trump’s Friday meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

“It is probably not an exaggeration to say the whole world is looking to Washington,” he said at a press briefing alongside Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.

“Firm security guarantees are central” because “Ukraine must be able to defend itself effectively even after a ceasefire and peace agreement,” he added.

To strengthen Zelenskiy’s hand before the White House meeting, Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and other European leaders convened on Sunday.
Although they applauded the United States’ discussions of a security guarantee for Ukraine, they insisted that Kyiv be included in any territorial negotiations and that its residual territory be safeguarded.