Ukraine, Berlin: ‘Essential security guarantees for Kiev, more pressure on Russia’

Frankfurt (Germany), 18 August (LaPresse) – German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called for solid security guarantees for Ukraine ahead of today's meeting between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European partners in Washington. Among the elements of a negotiated solution towards a just peace for Ukraine, ‘firm security guarantees are essential,’ Wadephul said during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya in Tokyo. ‘Because Ukraine must be able to defend itself effectively even after a ceasefire and a peace agreement,’ he added. ‘It is positive and important that President Trump has set himself the goal of ending the deaths in Ukraine,’ the CDU politician said in a statement to journalists in the Japanese capital. ‘For a just and lasting peace, Moscow must finally take action. Until that happens, pressure on Russia must be increased, including through more aid to Ukraine,’ Wadephul said. He thanked Japan for its support for Ukraine, which has so far amounted to twelve billion dollars, and for its implementation of sanctions against Russia.