BERLIN

Germany’s foreign minister on Thursday called on Russia to reconsider its position and take an active part in peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul.

Speaking before the start of day two of a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Antalya, southern Türkiye, Johann Wadephul reaffirmed Germany's support for US President Donald Trump's diplomatic efforts for peace in Ukraine.

“It is not too late to come to the negotiating table. Our urgent appeal for Russia today is to reconsider the situation, take up the US president's initiative in a positive way, come to the negotiations now,” he said.

Wadephul also warned that Europeans and Americans are considering new sanctions on Russia if Moscow fails to take positive steps toward a ceasefire in the upcoming negotiations – the first direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv in three years.

“There is a strong movement in the US Senate, with many senators expressing willingness to pass a sanctions bill, and the US administration expects this to happen if Russia doesn't take action,” he said, stressing the strong alignment between US and European views on this issue.