Wadephul rejects Lavrov's war rhetoric and demands arms contracts from Kyiv

Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) clearly rejected Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's statements that both countries were at the “beginning of a real war”. Lavrov made this statement after the federal government blamed Moscow for attempted drone attacks at Leipzig/Halle Airport.

"We know very well, and of course Sergei Lavrov also knows, that Russia did this thing in Leipzig - and that we reacted to it, had to react to it. He knows that, that is clear to everyone," he said in the "Ronzheimer" podcast by Axel Springer Global Reporter Paul Ronzheimer. In response, the federal government closed the Russian consulate general in Bonn, and the Kremlin denies responsibility.

The fact that Lavrov made his statement on election day in Saxony-Anhalt was “possibly intended to cause further uncertainty,” said Wadephul. “We have to deal with the fact that this Russian government is trying to influence our society in every way it has.” But “we will not allow ourselves to be intimidated”.

Wadephul described Lavrov’s verbal escalation as “an expression of a certain Russian desperation.” Russia was “not nearly as successful in this war as they wanted to be” because “the war was supposed to be over in a few days – and now we are in the fifth year.”

The German Foreign Minister also criticized Ukrainian President Zelensky and demanded that Ukraine pay more attention to German interests. About the military aid that Kiev also receives from Germany, Wadephul said: "We are now Ukraine's strongest supporter in terms of financial and military support. And it naturally has to be the case that the German defense industry benefits from it."

He also addressed this in Kiev: "I also said this to Ukrainian President Zelensky during my last visit. We stand with you, we support you. But I also have to explain this to the German taxpayers and the minimum is that you also involve the German defense industry in all procurement measures."

Wadephul continued: "At this point in time we are not entirely satisfied with the orders there are in Germany. And that is why we have now asked the Ukrainian government to check this and make sure that things get better."

CDU Foreign Minister Wadephul also agreed with CSU leader Markus Söder in demanding that Ukrainian men of military age who are currently in Germany should return to Ukraine. The German government could help Kiev bring the men back.

“We know who lives here, who receives social benefits, for example, or who is registered here, who has a residence status,” said Wadephul. Based on this data, these men "could be written to by the Ukrainian government asking them to be brought in. I think that this can be addressed and that it must be addressed." However, the return to Ukraine should take place “without coercion”.

Wadephul clearly rejected a Ukraine initiative from the SPD Baden-Württemberg. State leader Isabel Cademartori called for a change of course after the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt. Germany should strive for “a solution for peace” and reconsider the level of military spending. Wadephul recommended that the SPD politician “should talk to the SPD Defense Minister Pistorius.” The minister also stated: “The vast majority of the German population supports our Ukraine policy.”

It is in Moscow's hands that German-Russian relations improve again, said Wadephul. "Germany wants to end this conflict and also wants the situation in Europe as a whole to calm down again. But that will only be possible if aggression like this war in Ukraine, for which there was no single reason, is ended."

About possible talks from the European side with Vladimir Putin, the minister said: “If he is seriously willing to talk about ending this war, then people will certainly be willing to talk to him about it.” This is currently not apparent.

Nevertheless, Germany also supports diplomatic initiatives: "I know that there is talk between Ukraine and Russia about this grain issue. That's a good thing." A possible ceasefire in the Black Sea could then “extend further to energy infrastructure” and perhaps be a first small step towards bringing this conflict to an end.