German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has sharply criticized the partial ceasefire agreement in Ukraine brokered between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that the deal has done little to curb Russian aggression.
“After this supposedly groundbreaking, great phone call, the Russian attacks have not decreased,” Pistorius told German broadcaster ZDF on Wednesday. He dismissed the agreement as a “zero” and suggested that Putin is using it as a tactical move to buy time for Russian forces.
Trump had hailed his conversation with Putin as “very good and productive,” with the White House describing the agreement as an “energy and infrastructure ceasefire.” However, hours after the announcement, Russian airstrikes targeted Kyiv and other regions, raising doubts about the deal’s effectiveness.
Pistorius warned that Putin’s goal remains to weaken Ukraine while reinforcing Russian positions along the front lines. “Putin is playing a game, and I am certain that the American president will not be able to watch for long without reacting,” he added.
His remarks contrast with those of outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who cautiously welcomed the ceasefire. Standing alongside French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin, Scholz described it as “an important first step” while acknowledging the need for further negotiations, particularly on maritime security.
European leaders have expressed frustration over being sidelined in negotiations regarding Ukraine, with Pistorius emphasizing that any lasting peace “must be secured on European terms.” The German minister’s criticism reflects broader concerns in Europe that Washington’s approach could lead to a settlement at Kyiv’s expense.