German foreign minister urges more pressure on Russia before Trump–Zelenskiyy meeting

TOKYO: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Monday called for stepped-up pressure on Russia, including more aid for Ukraine, to push Moscow into concessions toward a “just and lasting peace.”

Wadephul spoke in Tokyo as US President Donald Trump prepares to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy and European leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The gathering follows Trump’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. “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.

Trump will seek to squeeze Ukraine ceasefire deal out of Putin at Alaska summit

Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other European leaders met Sunday to bolster Zelenskiyy’s hand ahead of the White House meeting.

They welcomed US talk of a security guarantee for Ukraine but said Kyiv must be included in any territorial talks and its remaining land protected.