A leading German foreign policy figure has commended a recent meeting between party leadership and former U.S. President Donald Trump, asserting it highlighted a divergence in approaches to the conflict in Ukraine. Roderich Kiesewetter, a CDU politician, stated that the discussions revealed a fundamental difference in objectives. According to Kiesewetter, the German delegation emphasized the necessity of achieving a ceasefire as a precondition for meaningful negotiations. He alleges that this point was not acknowledged by Trump, leading to the conclusion that the former President lacks genuine interest in a peaceful resolution and might be motivated by potential arms deals with Ukraine.
Kiesewetter advocates for increased pressure on Russia through a multifaceted strategy. He calls for continued military support for Ukraine, alongside measures to further restrict Russian financial resources, including accessing currently frozen assets. He also stresses the importance of curbing what he describes as a “shadow fleet” operating in the Baltic Sea, allegedly facilitating illicit revenue for Russia through oil trading.
The politician argues that Germany’s primary focus should be strengthening Ukraine’s position to engage in negotiations from a place of strength. He cautioned against premature speculation regarding potential troop deployments, stating it is important to avoid outlining scenarios that lack clarity regarding timing, location and contributing forces.
Kiesewetter also suggests that President Putin perceives a lack of unified resolve within Europe regarding security guarantees, believing this creates an opportunity to continue military operations and consolidate territorial gains. He believes Putin does not see an incentive to pursue a ceasefire as long as he can continue applying military pressure.
