Annalena Baerbock calls for stronger EU defense capabilities while maintaining US ties, warns against exclusion from Ukraine peace talks
Germany's foreign minister said Monday that with the return of Donald Trump to the White House, Europeans will have to take more responsibility for their own security.
“We Europeans must stand on our own two feet and do more to protect our peace and freedom ourselves,” Annalena Baerbock told a press conference in Berlin as Trump was about to be sworn in at the Capitol in Washington.
The top diplomat acknowledged potential disagreements with the new Trump administration, particularly over trade, the international order, and climate policy, and called on European countries to maintain a unified stance.
“The more internal strength and unity we show as the European Union, the more central we would be as a cooperation and negotiation partner,” she said, adding that she is optimistic that they can find ways to overcome some of the differences with the new US administration and address global challenges together.
“With 450 million citizens, we are the largest internal market in the world. In recent years, we have demonstrated our increased commitment to our own security. But as Europeans, we have also made it clear that it is in America's own best interests if we strengthen transatlantic cooperation and work together for peace, especially on the European continent,” she said.
Asked about possible negotiations between new US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine, Baerbock warned that Europeans and Ukraine should not be excluded from such talks.
“European security can of course only be achieved with the Europeans, not over the heads of the Europeans, and certainly not over the heads of the Ukrainians,” she said, noting that there have been some changes in recent statements, addressing their concerns.
“Especially now, with the most recent statements, that it is absolutely clear that we must move forward and act together here,” she said.
Campaigning last year, Trump said he could easily end the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022, but some European leaders are suspicious that he is too close to Moscow.
Germany's coalition government faces elections on Feb. 23, and depending on the outcome of a tight race, afterwards a new foreign minister might be working to build better ties with the US.
