“Diplomacy fails when the negotiating partner is humiliated in front of the world,” Steinmeier told the German press (DPA) on Saturday.
“The White House scene yesterday gave us a breath. We wouldn’t have believed that we had to protect Ukraine from the United States,” Steinmeyer said.
Steinmeier also said, “We must prevent Ukraine from accepting conquest.”
Trump on Friday accused Zelensky of recklessly putting global security at risk by refusing to negotiate a peace deal with Russia, warning him of “gambling with the Third World” and living millions of people.
He dismissed the position of Ukrainian wars launched by Russia, and claimed that Zelensky “has no card” to determine how Washington should engage with Moscow. He also described Zelensky as “disrespectful” and ungrateful.
Trump allegedly said Russian President Vladimir Putin was willing to negotiate with Zelensky and issued an ultimatum. Ukraine either made a deal or the US withdrew its serious military support, and Ukraine would “fight” it on its own.
Visibly annoyed, Zelensky retorted, “There will be no compromise with the killers of our territory,” and accused Trump of putting both Ukraine and the US security at stake with his approach to Russia.
Steinmeier said Germany “urgently needs a strong government.” Germany held a federal election a week ago, with the mainstream conservative bloc heading in it, with Friedrich Merz likely to be the next prime minister.
MNA