Incoming German FM: 'We will stand with Ukraine'

DW (English)

In an exclusive interview with DW, German Foreign Minister-designate Johann Wadephul told DW Chief Political Editor Michaela Küfner the new government would try "to make clear to the Trump administration that it is in their very interest to have a very strong Ukraine."

Transcript

00:00And with me is Germany's Foreign Minister, designate Johann Wadephul.

00:05Mr. Wadephul, how will Germany feel different to its allies and around the world under this incoming coalition?

00:12I think there will be a lot of continuity because Germany was always a country with a clear will to make Europe greater,

00:22the European Union capable to solve the problems we see on the world.

00:29So that will be the first thing for us.

00:32And the second one, of course, is the transatlantic relation to the United States of America,

00:39which is really a big problem for all Europeans right now.

00:44The new government will be engaged on that issue more than before.

00:48We will try everything to keep a very close contact and to really strengthen our relations

00:55and to strengthen NATO and the European Union.

00:58Now, we've interviewed you many times also as a defense expert for the conservative CDU party.

01:03We heard from Friedrich Merz reiterating the transatlantic relationship,

01:07but also speaking on Ukraine very clearly, saying that Germany is not a party to the conflict,

01:13but not a bystander either. How will you define that in office?

01:17I think it must be clear for everybody on the scenery, especially for Vladimir Putin, that we will stand with Ukraine.

01:26We will support Ukraine and to offer Ukraine the opportunity to be on ice level with Russia.

01:34I think Vladimir Putin has to know that and all, especially our partners in Eastern Europe,

01:42can be assured that there will be no special relationship between Germany and Russia.

01:50But we will do each and every thing concerning this war together with our European partners,

01:59together of course included with the United States of America,

02:02where we will strengthen our efforts to bring the United States in and to make clear to the Trump administration

02:12that it is in their very interest to have a very strong Ukraine in the European community right here.

02:24We will take up office as Germany celebrates 70 years as part of NATO, which Friedrich Merz, the chancellor-designate himself,

02:32no longer seems to see as a given. He says he's not sure what will happen in the future.

02:37What is your prediction?

02:39The next summit is CORE. This has to be the summit that we assure ourselves that we stand together,

02:52that we see our security future only within the framework of NATO,

02:58that of course Europe has to contribute more on defense as before.

03:05Germany will go in a leadership position also on that field,

03:10but we also want to hear from Washington that they appreciate our efforts

03:19and that they also stick to our common goals.

03:23Now Vladimir Putin has announced that he now wants a ceasefire between the 8th and the 11th of May.

03:30How do you read that? What kind of signal is that for you?

03:33It's a first signal, but these are words. Deeds are needed.

03:38After three years of war, we only look what's happening on the battlefield.

03:45If that happens, that may be a first step for further ones, for reaching out to a real truth.

03:56And that could be the ground then for negotiations on a reliable peace for both of the countries.

04:05And just finally, let me ask you, what does it feel like to know that next week you will be Germany's foreign minister?

04:12It's still a new feeling, still astonishing for me a little bit.

04:18And I feel the responsibility for Germany.

04:22I feel that a lot of eyes are looking on this government and we'll do our very best.

04:28Johan Waderful, German Foreign Minister-designate. Thank you very much.

04:31Thank you very much.

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