Vice Chancellor Ensures Germany Joins Ukraine's Security Guarantee
JAKARTA - Berlin will participate in providing security guarantees for Ukraine and European partners, but the negotiations are still in their early stages and must be formed by Kyiv.
"The important thing is, in the end, there are security guarantees that ensure Ukraine is no longer under attack and Putin no longer dares to attack Ukraine," said German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil in Kyiv.
Klingbeil, who also serves as German finance minister, said to achieve this goal the Ukrainian military needed to be strengthened and arms production within Ukraine needed to be increased.
Klingbeil said Germany would carry responsibility in providing security guarantees, but decisions should not be taken "out of the control of the Ukrainian people".
Every negotiation process must begin with a ceasefire.
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US President Donald Trump previously urged the war to end soon, but Kyiv and his allies fear Trump could try to impose an agreement on Russian terms.
"The decision now rests with Vladimir Putin," Klingbeil said.
"I'm sure we still have a very long way to go, because I haven't seen Vladimir Putin change his mind, suddenly give in, suddenly wanting to hold real, serious, and sustainable peace negotiations," he continued.