Germany urges Russian president to engage in swift talks with Ukraine, warns against stalling tactics

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to immediately engage in direct negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, warning that any attempt to delay the peace process would face firm international resistance.

Wadephul made the remarks during a joint press conference with Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman in Zagreb, Caliber.Az reports per Ukrainian media.

“If President Putin thinks he can buy time, he is mistaken," Wadephul said, underscoring Berlin’s insistence on accelerated diplomatic engagement to end the war in Ukraine.

The German minister also emphasized the need to maintain consistent pressure on the Kremlin.

The European Union is already preparing its 19th package of sanctions,” he noted, indicating that further punitive measures are being readied to constrain Russia’s war efforts and compel constructive dialogue.

Wadephul’s comments come amid renewed international efforts to facilitate a high-level meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin. Following the recent Washington summit, US President Donald Trump proposed a bilateral summit between the two leaders, foregoing a broader trilateral format.

According to reports, the Kremlin proposed Moscow as the venue for such talks—a suggestion promptly rejected by Zelenskyy. While the White House has floated Budapest as a possible neutral location, no official decision has been announced.

Zelenskyy continues to insist that any meeting take place on neutral European ground, naming Austria or Switzerland as preferred venues, while also expressing openness to Türkiye as a potential host. The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that Putin would only agree to a summit if the agenda is fully prepared and justified at the highest level.

So far, however, no tangible progress has been made in bringing both sides to the table. Zelenskyy maintains that Russia is intentionally obstructing the process, seeking to delay talks without offering meaningful concessions.

Meanwhile, the European Union is set to review proposals for utilizing revenues generated from frozen Russian assets and finalize its next wave of sanctions at an upcoming summit. The West’s diplomatic and economic pressure campaign, officials say, will continue until Russia signals a genuine willingness to negotiate.

By Vafa Guliyeva