German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, that Berlin remains fundamentally open to dialogue with Russia aimed at achieving a sustainable peace in Ukraine, while firmly rejecting any notion of making further concessions to Moscow.
Speaking at the “Cafe Kyiv” Ukraine Forum organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Berlin, Wadephul emphasized that any negotiation process must be led by Ukraine itself. “First and foremost, it must, of course, be Ukraine that speaks. But we are also prepared to talk,” he said. “But we will not arrive in Moscow and make further concessions. We will not do that.”
He conditioned Germany's participation on genuine Russian willingness to engage seriously. “If the shooting stops, if there is a serious willingness to talk, then we will certainly be there,” Wadephul explained. “But we are not begging him (Russian President Vladimir Putin), to put it bluntly. Instead, we expect that one of the reasonable offers will finally be accepted.”
The foreign minister explicitly dismissed recent calls—particularly from within Germany's co-ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD)—urging Berlin to proactively approach Putin with ceasefire proposals. “There is no shortage of channels for dialogue. But no channel helps if he does not want to talk,” Wadephul asserted, underscoring Moscow's apparent reluctance to negotiate in good faith.
Wadephul has consistently advocated for heightened pressure on Russia as the prerequisite for meaningful talks. Ahead of an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday, February 23, he reiterated Germany's clear position: “We must show firmness now, we must support Ukraine sustainably, and we must do exactly what we did last year—continue to increase pressure on Russia.”
He highlighted ongoing efforts to advance the European Union's 20th sanctions package against Russia, expressing confidence in its eventual adoption despite Hungary's previous blocking tactics. “That is why we are working intensively on the 20th sanctions package, and I am also confident that we will be successful at the end of the day,” Wadephul said.
Germany's stance reflects a broader European consensus that any peace settlement must uphold Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to self-determination, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. Berlin has been one of Kyiv's most steadfast supporters since Russia's full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022, providing extensive military aid—including Leopard 2 tanks, IRIS-T air defense systems, and artillery ammunition—alongside substantial financial and humanitarian assistance.
The comments arrive on the exact fourth anniversary of the invasion, a day marked by renewed pledges of solidarity from EU institutions and individual member states. They also come amid evolving transatlantic dynamics under the second Trump administration, which has pushed for a rapid negotiated end to the war and emphasized burden-sharing with European allies.
Wadephul's rejection of concessions aligns with Chancellor Friedrich Merz's (CDU) firm line against rewarding aggression, while contrasting with more conciliatory voices within the SPD coalition partner who have occasionally floated ideas of offering security guarantees or territorial compromises to entice Russia to the table.
The foreign minister's remarks underscore Germany's dual-track approach: openness to diplomacy when conditions allow, combined with unrelenting pressure through sanctions, military support for Ukraine, and efforts to isolate Russia economically and diplomatically. As the EU prepares to deliberate the next sanctions wave—potentially targeting remaining energy revenues, shadow fleet tankers, and third-country circumvention networks—Berlin is positioning itself as a leading advocate for sustained resolve.
With the war now in its fifth year, heavy casualties on both sides, and Ukraine facing persistent challenges in manpower and advanced weaponry, Wadephul's message signals that Germany views firmness—not unilateral concessions—as the path toward forcing Russia into serious negotiations. Whether Moscow will respond to intensified pressure or continued diplomatic outreach remains uncertain, but Berlin has made clear it will not soften its core demands for a just and lasting peace.
