Pistorius stressed that Trump made mistakes in his talks with Russia. The German minister noted that the US president ruled out Ukraine's potential NATO membership as a basis for negotiations.
However, Pistorius is confident that Trump will eventually come to understand that Putin cannot be swayed through personal conversations alone.
The defense minister called the European Union’s new sanctions against Russia a step in the right direction. He urged for significantly more pressure on Moscow, particularly from the United States. Pistorius also reiterated that Putin is still buying time and has no real interest in a ceasefire.
On May 20, Axios reported — citing informed sources — that after speaking with Putin, Trump held a conference call with European leaders. The information he shared was met with “confused silence,” as those present expected to hear that Putin agreed to a ceasefire or that the US will impose sanctions for his refusal.
Instead, Trump announced that the Russian dictator had agreed to negotiations and highlighted that the US will not participate in them.
Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders that Russia and Ukraine must find a resolution to the war on their own, media reports wrote.