Germany Warns US Against Concessions to Russia on Ukraine Before Official Talks Begin

Germany warns the US against making concessions on Ukraine before official negotiations even begin, insisting that Europe must be involved in the negotiation process.

Speaking in Brussels on February 13, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed support for a potential swift peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine but noted that it was “regrettable” that Trump’s administration had “already made public concessions to Putin before negotiations have even begun.”

“In my view, it would have been better to talk about Ukraine’s possible NATO membership or the country’s possible loss of territory only at the negotiating table and not to take it off the table beforehand,” Pistorius said.

Pistorius emphasized the importance of securing a truly reliable, lasting, fair, and just peace for Ukraine. He also stressed that Europe “must be involved in the negotiations” as it will directly face the consequences of any agreement.

Previously, on February 12, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told NATO allies that “returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective,” as US President Donald Trump focuses on efforts to end the war.

Yesterday, Trump held a phone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, discussing a wide range of topics, including Ukraine, the Middle East, energy, artificial intelligence, and the global financial system.