Germany’s defense minister said on Friday it was a mistake for U.S. President Donald Trump to take the bargaining chip of Ukrainian NATO membership off the table ahead of possible talks to end Russia's war with Ukraine.
Earlier this week, after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said peace negotiations to end the invasion of Ukraine should start immediately.
However, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out Ukraine joining NATO or getting back all of its occupied territory.
This has led to a wave of criticism from European leaders.
Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, said Putin had “not budged an inch” on his negotiating position so it was not in the other side's interests to do so.
Arriving at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Pistorius said of Trump and Hegseth’s comments: “I think that was clumsy. I think that was a mistake.”
He added: “It would have been much better to talk about possible NATO membership and territorial changes at the negotiating table.”
Pistorius said if European countries are expected to uphold a future Ukraine-Russia peace deal, then they must be present during the discussions.
However, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out Ukraine joining NATO or getting back all of its occupied territory.
This has led to a wave of criticism from European leaders.
Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, said Putin had “not budged an inch” on his negotiating position so it was not in the other side's interests to do so.
Arriving at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Pistorius said of Trump and Hegseth’s comments: “I think that was clumsy. I think that was a mistake.”
He added: “It would have been much better to talk about possible NATO membership and territorial changes at the negotiating table.”
Pistorius said if European countries are expected to uphold a future Ukraine-Russia peace deal, then they must be present during the discussions.
Warning against ‘sham peace’
Meanwhile, Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said a “sham peace” would lead to more aggression that would weaken Europe and the U.S.
“We need a peace that secures the sovereignty of Ukraine and permanently ensures peace on the European continent,” she said at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the international community must accept that the new U.S. administration has a “very different world view to ours.”
“One that has no regard for established rules, partnership and grown trust,” said the German head of state, whose office is largely ceremonial.
“We have to accept that and we can deal with it. But I am convinced that it is not in the interests of the international community for this world view to become the dominant paradigm,” he added, speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.
“We need a peace that secures the sovereignty of Ukraine and permanently ensures peace on the European continent,” she said at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.
‘No regard for established rules’
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the international community must accept that the new U.S. administration has a “very different world view to ours.”
“One that has no regard for established rules, partnership and grown trust,” said the German head of state, whose office is largely ceremonial.
“We have to accept that and we can deal with it. But I am convinced that it is not in the interests of the international community for this world view to become the dominant paradigm,” he added, speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.
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