Question:

The Russian war of aggression is raging harder than it has for a long time. Is Ukraine losing?

Johann Wadephul:

No. The whole of Europe is standing at Ukraine’s side, and the United States of America is also ready to provide continued support. That is largely thanks to an initiative by the Federal Chancellor.

Question:

What part has Friedrich Merz played in the US President’s about-turn in his dealings with Putin?

Johann Wadephul:

Friedrich Merz has played a major part, because he has made it very clear from the outset that he is committed to Ukraine. He made that point in the Oval Office. And he made it in personal conversations at the G7. Friedrich Merz called Donald Trump and said that the United States was needed now. We can be happy that the Federal Chancellor has developed such a decent rapport with the US President and that Germany’s voice is once again being heard in Washington.

Question:

Is Merz’s voice also being heard in the tariffs dispute? President Trump is well and truly tightening the thumbscrews there.

Johann Wadephul:

Yes, of course. The Federal Chancellor is very intensively engaged on this issue. We Germans can count on having a Federal Chancellor who stands up for our interests and Europe’s interests in Washington.

Question:

Can Ursula von der Leyen, who bears the lead responsibility for the tariff negotiations, stop Trump?

Johann Wadephul:

The United States will think very carefully before entering into a major dispute with the entire EU – because we stand shoulder to shoulder here. It would mean everything becoming more expensive for consumers in the States. The European Union is not defenceless, and the Commission, led by its President, stands up for our European interests.

Question:

Is Europe really united? Isn’t there a risk of individual countries breaking away?

Johann Wadephul:

No. In fact, some countries are demanding even more stringency and toughness than Germany thinks is right. We believe that we will reach a positive agreement with the United States through negotiation. Europe stands united.

Question:

What are you aiming for in the negotiations? No tariffs at all? Or tariffs of, say, ten percent?

Johann Wadephul:

The complete dismantling of all tariffs would, of course, be our preferred approach.

Question:

Would you say that you and the Chancellor are of like mind on foreign policy?

Johann Wadephul:

Definitely.

Question:

Apparently the Chancellery wasn’t pleased at your announcement that German defence spending would increase to five percent. Did you do it off your own bat?

Johann Wadephul:

The Federal Chancellery and the Federal Chancellor were and still are very happy with this initiative.

Question:

So it was you who took the initiative?

Johann Wadephul:

Yes, it was my initiative. As Foreign Minister, I do have ministerial responsibility. And I exercise it. I think that in this case it was absolutely right to do so.

[...]

Question:

Turning to migration policy, a report by your ministry paints a very grim picture of Syria. It sounds as though it would scarcely be possible to deport people back there. Is that right?

Johann Wadephul:

We are watching Syria very carefully. And it’s true that we have just seen some worrying unrest again in Druze areas. We call on the transitional government in Syria to ensure that all population groups, all religious groups, are integrated in this diverse country. And that no one need fear for life or limb. At the moment, however, we are of the view that we need to give this transitional government a serious chance.

Question:

Meaning?

Johann Wadephul:

Meaning, among other things, that we can work together – in such a way that it may in future be possible in principle to deport Syrians who have committed criminal offences back to Syria. I believe that this is in principle possible. Provided, of course, that the country develops in the direction I have just described.

Question:

There is also some controversy about admission programmes for Afghans. When will the next plane be landing in Germany? How many more people will be coming?

Johann Wadephul:

There are no further admission programmes. There are a certain number of Afghans who have already received positive responses from the Federal Republic of Germany. We will admit anyone who has one, unless there are security reasons for not doing so. We will not admit others. I cannot turn back the clock and change wrong decisions made by previous German Governments.

Question:

At the last count, there was talk of around 2300 people. Will they all be coming?

Johann Wadephul:

That is not certain.

Question:

And so you regard the programmes as a wrong decision?

Johann Wadephul:

I believe one can criticise the scope in which such decisions were taken in the past.

Question:

How does the accusation that the Government is going back on its word in this context make you feel? The wording in the coalition agreement said the programmes are being stopped. People imagine that means no one else will be coming.

Johann Wadephul:

We are implementing the coalition agreement. We are ending the programmes. We are not issuing a single new admission notice. But if such an admission notice is a year old, I can only change it by legal means. In other words, if it emerges that the person has a false identity. Or if the person is simply no longer there.

Question:

People abroad have some very different ways of pronouncing Wadephul. What’s the funniest so far?

Johann Wadephul:

I thought “Wonderful” was wonderful.

Question:

Who called you that?

Johann Wadephul:

I don’t remember. But it was so nice that I took note of it.

Interview conducted by Nadja Aswad and Florian Kain