Question

Foreign Minister, during your first days in office you have travelled to Paris, Warsaw, Lviv and Israel, spoken on the phone to the US State Secretary and discussed the war in Ukraine with partners in London. How does the view of these conflicts change when you’re suddenly in office yourself?

Johann Wadephul

I have a clear sense of the responsibility Germany bears. There’s a lot going on with regard to all of these dossiers and the position we take is being watched closely everywhere. I want to live up to this responsibility.

Question

The Russian President has ignored the European demand for a 30-day ceasefire and proposed direct talks with Kyiv – do you expect this to produce results, or is Putin merely playing for time?

Johann Wadephul

Putin is playing for time. However, he will have to realise that there’s now a closely coordinated European position, which was underscored by the unparalleled visit by the Heads of State and Government of France, the UK, Poland and Germany to Kyiv. The Foreign Ministers of these countries are working closely together. In contrast to Putin, after all, we and Ukraine want peace at long last. Putin has to accept that Europe has clout and that it has a role to play in this process.

Question

Have there been any indications that Putin is prepared to change his stance?

Johann Wadephul

The fact that Putin is even talking about concrete negotiations with Ukraine is a reaction to the new situation. I think he knows that his position is likely to be weakened in the near future.

Question

At the weekend, it looked as if there would again be a moment of European-American unity – then President Trump called on Kyiv to negotiate without insisting on a prior ceasefire. Is that moment over?

Johann Wadephul

I don’t think so. I’m in close contact with Secretary Rubio. What’s more, at present we’re seeing a growing number of senators in the US Senate coming together to form a majority in favour of sanctions. That’s remarkable. Russia shouldn’t get its hopes up: we’re cooperating closely across the Atlantic.

Question

Despite this cooperation, however, it seems that, again, Europe won’t be at the table if talks really do begin in Turkey on Thursday?

Johann Wadephul

What matters is that Europeans, Americans and Ukraine pull in the same direction. And we can see this clearly when it comes to insisting that Russia lives up to its responsibility to finally accept a ceasefire. What’s at stake, after all, is the resolution of a conflict in Europe. That’s why we have to play a role in finding a solution.

Question

So, Europe has a partner again in the United States under Trump, after all?

Johann Wadephul

Deep down, I was never in any doubt that the United States is by our side. It’s true that some things have irritated us during the last few weeks. However, many talks have now demonstrated that we stand together. I’m looking forward to talking to my colleague Marco Rubio at the NATO meeting in Antalya this week and we’ve agreed to meet in Washington very soon.

Question

Was the Federal Chancellor too pessimistic when he said that Europe should become more independent of America –is the US Administration not indifferent to Europe’s fate after all?

Johann Wadephul

It’s recognised throughout Europe that we need to become more independent. From the outset, I’ve supported the French President’s proposal that we talk about European sovereignty. That doesn’t mean disengagement, but it does mean the readiness and ability to shoulder more responsibility. What’s more, the comments made by Friedrich Merz show continuity. Angela Merkel pointed out during the first Trump Administration that we have to do more because we cannot automatically rely on the Americans in every situation.

Question

You’ve spoken on the phone with Rubio, Merz with Trump. Did you get the impression that Washington is losing patience with Putin and that this will help Europe?

Johann Wadephul

There’s certainly a new European momentum now. That’s a factor in global politics which is being noticed everywhere. Germany has contributed to this because we’re again regarded as a key player.

Question

When you were in Lviv, the Ukrainians showed you ammunition from the battlefield produced in China: do you still have hope that China can make a positive contribution towards resolving this conflict?

Johann Wadephul

China is continually weighing up what best serves its interest. We have to seize this opportunity and make it clear to China that it’s not in China’s interest to support a war of aggression in Europe. Because this war affects core European interests, and also has a detrimental impact on China.

Question

One element of this European momentum is the threat that new sanctions will be imposed if the ceasefire doesn’t come. How can Europe follow up on this threat if there’s a risk that it won’t even be possible to extend the current sanctions due to Hungary’s veto?

Johann Wadephul

Don’t underestimate the European unity I’ve already experienced in many talks. We’re ready and willing to do more. I’ll put all my energy into ensuring that these don’t remain empty phrases.

Question

Is Germany ready to also talk about the use of frozen Russian assets?

Johann Wadephul

There’s already an intensive exchange on this among the G7 states and in the European Union.

Question

So, you’re leaving this option open?

Johann Wadephul

We’ve now decided to allow strategic ambiguity to prevail. Putin must know that he cannot predict what we’ll do as long as he himself is unpredictable.

Question

Does this new strategic ambiguity include you no longer wanting to announce which weapons Germany is supplying to Ukraine?

Johann Wadephul

Precisely. We no longer want to be predictable and we want to leave all options open. We believe that’s the best way forward in this crucial situation.

Question

Will German troops be sent to safeguard peace in Ukraine?

Johann Wadephul

We can’t say yet.

Question

Ukraine would like Taurus cruise missiles. Will you supply them as you demanded while in opposition?

Johann Wadephul

(smiles) I refer you to my answer on strategic ambiguity.

Question

That’s a nice way of evading the question.

Johann Wadephul

I accept that I may face accusations like that in Germany. But in the end, it’s more important that we achieve maximum impact in the international arena.

Question

Have you received support for the supply from your coalition partners?

Johann Wadephul

I’ll stick to strategic ambiguity. It goes without saying, however, that such key issues are carefully coordinated in the coalition.

Question

When an SPD foreign policy expert talks to Russians in Baku, do you fear that your coalition partner is reverting to its old closeness to Russia, a parallel foreign policy?

Johann Wadephul

No. This coalition’s foreign policy is consistent and united. Nor is it my place as a member of the Government to judge Parliament.

Question

Can there be any rapprochement at all with Moscow in the foreseeable future?

Johann Wadephul

Of course. We live on the same continent and there’s no enmity between us and the Russian people. However, we have a government and president in Moscow that are trampling on international law and acting diametrically opposed to our interests. If that course is corrected, we will of course be prepared to engage with Russia on different levels. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem likely at present.

Question

By corrected you mean: when Putin is no longer in power?

Johann Wadephul

Corrected in whatever way. He could also diametrically change his policy and end the war. It’s clear that the current policy makes it impossible for us to normalise relations again.

Question

However, if Putin carries on as before, the security issue could soon become even more acute for Europe. What has to happen to ensure that we’re equipped for this period of confrontation?

Johann Wadephul

We have to continue along the path we embarked upon. We have to strengthen our own defence capabilities and make European unity a priority, maintain close transatlantic relations and be economically strong. If we can achieve that, I won’t be worried about the future.

Question

Your trip to Israel was also about an uncertain future. You wanted to ascertain the strategic goal behind Israel’s intensified military campaign in the Gaza Strip. Did you learn anything?

Johann Wadephul

Some of my concerns were dispelled when it was emphasised that the Gaza Strip belongs to the Palestinians and that they won’t have to leave it against their will, and that the Israeli army will leave the area once the operation against Hamas has ended. Ultimately, however, we’ll base our judgement on concrete actions. And there are other issues: how we can finally bring about negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians and how we can ensure that provisions are supplied to people in the Gaza Strip. But also, how Israel’s legitimate security interest can be met. For terrorism must never again emanate from Gaza.

Question

Israel has been blocking humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip since the beginning of March, and the situation is dramatic. Is Israel violating international law?

Johann Wadephul

Israel has recently demonstrated a clear willingness to cooperate at short notice and quickly implement the American plan to distribute relief. I made it clear how urgent it is to help the people suffering there.

Question

The CDU criticised the last Federal Government for delaying arms exports. Will the new government deliver everything Israel wants without delay?

Johann Wadephul

We’ll always look and see what’s necessary and justifiable. We’ll allow ourselves to pass our own judgement on this. This has to be examined in Germany.

Question

A raison d’etat with limitations?

Johann Wadephul

That’s not a limitation. However, the raison d’etat is not an obligation to fulfil all of Israel’s wishes.

Question

Diplomatic relations with Israel were established 60 years ago under the last CDU Foreign Minister. The CDU is again leading the Federal Foreign Office. What does that mean for this ministry?

Johann Wadephul

Not a lot, I think. After all, foreign policy has always been one of the main focuses of the CDU and CDU chancellors have been the driving forces behind much of foreign policy in recent decades. I’m continuing that tradition with a clear compass: integration with the West and orientation towards the freedom which Adenauer made his yardstick, and a European agenda in line with that pursued by Kohl and Merkel. All of that fits in with the positions taken by the Federal Foreign Office.

Question

At the hand-over ceremony at the Federal Foreign Office, you said that you agreed on many things with your predecessor but not on everything – where do your positions differ?

Johann Wadephul

I want to pursue a foreign policy which focuses in these turbulent times on putting German and European interests first. And I want to revive the core business of diplomacy, which includes establishing contacts and communicating our positions, even to partners we find more difficult to get along with.

Question

What does that mean in concrete terms, for example, when it comes to the conflict in Syria?

Johann Wadephul

That, first of all, I'll tell the government in Syria that it must foster reconciliation among the different communities and combat terrorism. After that, we can secure protection for the country through talks with all neighbouring countries. That’s a different approach to that of my predecessor.

Question

So, you’re not going to first of all look and see if all sections of the population, such as women, are involved in the transition process?

Johann Wadephul

That’s important to me but, in this precarious situation, I have to set other priorities for the region and the country. And Syria will only become stable if the process there is inclusive and terrorism is tackled.

Question

You wished your staff God’s blessing in your inaugural speech at the ministry. They weren’t used to hearing that from a minister – is that also part and parcel of the CDU’s return to this office?

Johann Wadephul

It’s a personal statement. I’m glad that my Christian faith provides me with hope and orientation. I wish that for everyone. But everyone should be free to believe and do whatever makes them happy.

Interview conducted by Matthias Wyssuwa