During a diplomatic visit to Kyiv, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of deliberately obstructing peace negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Speaking alongside Ukrainian officials, Baerbock asserted that Putin has repeatedly refused to engage in good-faith discussions, prolonging the suffering of millions of civilians.
Baerbock stated that "Putin is playing a cynical game, pretending to be open to talks while continuing his illegal war of aggression." She emphasized that Germany remains committed to supporting Ukraine through military aid, economic assistance, and diplomatic efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed Baerbock’s concerns, highlighting Russia’s continued missile strikes on civilian infrastructure and its refusal to withdraw troops from occupied territories. He called on Western allies to increase sanctions against Moscow and provide additional military support to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Russia has dismissed the accusations, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that Moscow remains open to negotiations but will not compromise on its strategic interests. Meanwhile, the European Union is expected to discuss new sanctions against Russia in the coming weeks, further intensifying economic and diplomatic pressure on Putin’s government.