Berlin seeks stronger US diplomatic push to end Ukraine war

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul plans to speak by phone with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and urge him to become more personally involved in diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, Reuters reports.

Speaking to local radio broadcaster, Wadephul said US diplomacy on the conflict had so far been handled largely by presidential envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

“I may be able to encourage him (Rubio) myself to do more there,” Wadephul said, adding that Berlin was pursuing other diplomatic channels to help restart negotiations.

Wadephul, who recently visited Ukraine, said Germany was also in contact with several countries that maintain closer ties with Russia than most European nations, including Türkiye, several Gulf states and Egypt.

Talks between Russia and the United States aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict have largely stalled amid the war in Iran. The Kremlin said last week that it had yet to receive information about a possible next visit to Russia by Kushner and Witkoff.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview on August 21 that Moscow was ready to consider new proposals from Rubio and continue dialogue with Washington.

By Vafa Guliyeva