Laschet praises Trump's negotiations and criticizes Europe's approach

Berlin – The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Armin Laschet, praised the negotiations between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. "It's good that there's been momentum in diplomacy," Laschet told the "Tagesspiegel" newspaper (Sunday edition). He was bothered by the one-sided skepticism and criticism of the meeting from Europe. "In the past, we were more pleased when the Russian and American presidents got along. Those were signals of détente," said the CDU politician. It was a misjudgment to think that Putin was back on the world stage thanks to the meeting with Trump. Russia had maintained stable relations with numerous countries in recent years. "Putin and Lavrov were present everywhere, except in Europe." The former Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia instead criticized European policy toward Ukraine in recent years. "Europe has spent a lot of rhetoric in recent years, but little substance," said Laschet. It is the Europeans' own fault that they are not at the negotiating table. During US President Joe Biden's term in office, they relied solely on a military solution. "It's strange that the Europeans are now complaining that they weren't at the table when they were never willing to talk before," Laschet said. Ukraine will likely have to cede territory during the negotiations, Laschet admitted: "Everyone knows that the occupied territories will be discussed in the end, but no one dares to say so," the CDU politician said. He continued: "The crucial thing, however, is that we under no circumstances recognize an annexation de jure under international law. Otherwise, the war would have been worth it. That is unacceptable."