German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel held a joint press conference following their meeting in Berlin. Wadephul emphasized that the two countries are moving on a common path regarding the fundamental challenges facing Europe, particularly concerning the support provided to Ukraine. Reacting to the diesel export agreement between the US and Russia and US President Donald Trump's remarks targeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Wadephul said, "The last few days have once again demonstrated how important a role we Europeans play in stopping Russian President Vladimir Putin's imperialist ambitions and achieving peace. We agree that in the current situation, making concessions to the aggressive Putin would be a completely wrong signal. This would lead to us compromising our security. Our joint pressure is weakening Russia's war power."
Pointing out that Russia is threatening all countries in Europe and that this is increasing, Wadephul said, "Attacks on merchant ships in Bulgarian territorial waters have shown this. The world's food supply is in danger in the Black Sea. Every attack on grain exports is an attack on more innocent people who are forced to suffer from hunger even far away because of Russia."
Wadephul also evaluated Trump's criticisms of Zelenskyy, such as, "It is time for Ukraine to have a new president, he is not someone we can negotiate with." The German Minister stated, "The US President's latest remarks should definitely be linked to the final stage of the election campaign in the US. Therefore, I think we should look at the essence of what the US is still doing. This is the support it gives to us and Ukraine, and advancing it. A negotiation protocol that the US clearly encourages is in effect. This has happened and will continue to happen. From my perspective, the Russian President's willingness to negotiate is still clearly missing. He continues to bomb. This once again clearly reveals that Moscow's priority right now is not to conduct negotiations, but to fight. Whereas our priority is to conduct negotiations. We support Ukraine in this regard, and this is also Europe's role. Of course, we can tell Ukraine and Russia, only Ukraine, under what conditions peace can be achieved. Europe plays a supporting role in this process. Europe clearly stands by Ukraine. However, Europe is also ready to accompany these negotiations. This is a point I emphasized once again in my meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister (Sergey Lavrov). Unfortunately, my words have been ignored so far."
"Europe is also a target for Iran"
Stating that Europe is threatened not only by Russia but also by Iran through hybrid attacks, Wadephul said, "Europe is also a target for Iran."
Wadephul recalled that the UK attributed the attempted attack on the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford Military Air Base on September 27 to Iran. Recalling that two people acting on behalf of Iran were sentenced to prison by a court in Hamburg for planning an assassination against the President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, and former MP Volker Beck, Wadephul said, "There are other actors who threaten our security and freedom. Europe is in Iran's crosshairs. We do not accept Iran's hostile activities against our society in Germany."
Wadephul said, "It is important that the attempted attacks on Josef Schuster and Volker Beck and Iran's role behind this state-sponsored terrorism have been identified so clearly. We will respond to this as well."
"Russia does not want to negotiate"
Portuguese Foreign Minister Rangel spoke in German for the first 5 minutes of his speech at the joint press conference. Stating that his country is in full solidarity with Ukraine, Rangel said, "We are deeply concerned about Russia's attacks on Ukraine. We condemn these attacks as all of Europe. We are also very concerned about what is happening in Romania, Bulgaria, or the Black Sea."
The Portuguese Foreign Minister said, "Russia's attacks on Ukraine are increasing. This situation makes it extremely clear that they have no intention of negotiating. Russia does not want to negotiate. I mean, no one who wants to negotiate would do such a thing."
Pointing out that the situation in Ukraine will become even more difficult in the winter season, Rangel said, "Therefore, we must really encourage the US to act for the benefit of Europe and the world. The issue is about peace in Europe and the world, and this is of course a matter with global implications. We must understand this very clearly and convince the US of this. Because Zelenskyy is also ready to organize and conduct elections in Ukraine. This situation is of course incredible under these war conditions, and he is ready to take on this positive role. He deserves our support, and we must cooperate with all countries that can help Ukraine, especially the US, so that Ukraine can negotiate. If Ukraine is strong, Russia will also want to sit at the negotiating table, and then we will achieve a breakthrough in this crisis."
2 people convicted in assassination investigation on behalf of Iran
A conviction decision was made by a court in Hamburg regarding the assassination allegation that German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul cited as a reason for his words that his country is a target for Iran. In the hearing held yesterday, the Hamburg Higher Regional Court sentenced Ali S., a Danish citizen who was determined to act together with the Iranian secret service, to 8 years and 6 months in prison for preparing an attack and aggravated arson. The judges were of the opinion that the defendant was recruited by the Iranian intelligence service and was integrated into the structure of this service to carry out state-sponsored terrorist attacks in Germany under the direction of Iran. The second defendant, an Afghan citizen, was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison for his role in the attack plans.
News Source: İHA
