German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President-elect Donald Trump pledged to expedite efforts to achieving a “fair, just, and sustainable peace” in Ukraine.
While attending the European Council summit in Brussels, Scholz engaged with Trump via phone, according to German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit, as reported by Politico. The summit focused on evaluating the European Union’s stance in global politics and adapting to a potentially reduced U.S. involvement in Ukraine under Trump’s administration.
“[The two] agreed that the Russian war against Ukraine had gone on for far too long and that it was important to get on the path to a fair, just and sustainable peace as soon as possible,” Hebestreit said.
Amid these discussions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also present in Brussels, actively sought to bolster European defense commitments, Politico reported. In a response to inquiries about Trump’s upcoming presidency, Zelenskyy expressed optimism, urging Trump to aid in concluding the conflict.
TRUMP: “I refuse to bend the knee to their next endless war in Ukraine. I want peace. They want money, and they want conflict.
Even if it means walking us to the brink of WWIII.” pic.twitter.com/2RhsKKNq5i
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 16, 2023
In light of these developments, Zelenskyy said European assurances alone were inadequate and said he needs”real guarantees” from NATO, including pivotal support from the U.S.
“European guarantees won’t be sufficient for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.
Trump previously commented on the Ukraine war, describing it as one of the most severe conflicts since World War II. He said he’s committed to ending the “horrible” war between Ukraine and Russia, highlighting the extensive destruction and high casualty rates that have left cities in ruins and unlivable.
“When you look at what’s happened to those, I mean, there are cities that there’s not a building standing. It’s a demolition site. There’s not a building standing. So people can’t go back to those cities. There’s nothing there. It’s just rubble,” Trump said.
Trump has also tapped retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg as the new special envoy to Russia and Ukraine. Praising Kellogg on Truth Social, Trump cited Kellogg’s extensive experience in the military and business sectors.
Meanwhile, Scholz maintains a consistent but cautious stance on military support for Ukraine, Politico reported. He has repeatedly expressed concerns about supplying Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles, arguing that this could provoke a broader conflict with Russia and potentially lead to retaliatory actions against Germany.
At the same time, Scholz has publicly reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ukraine and promised to stand by Kyiv “for as long as it takes” and stressed the importance of not escalating the war further. His approach also reflects a strategic alignment with NATO and the Western alliance, promising swift responses and coordinated actions in the event of a Russian invasion, as discussed during meetings with U.S. officials and other NATO members.
Featured Image Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America
