Top German diplomat says Ukraine ceasefire won't end Russian threat

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul believes that Russia might use a potential ceasefire in Ukraine to ramp up preparations to attack a NATO country, urging the defence alliance to be ready for such a scenario.

While Germany's top diplomat stressed he did not want to speculate on how likely this was to happen, he said: "I can only advise us to prepare ourselves for the possibility that this may happen."

He noted that NATO was expanding defence structures, while Germany is revamping its armed forces, boosting troop numbers and equipment in light of a possible Russian attack.

But Europe should not become complacent if efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine are successful, Wadephul told dpa.

Security in Europe would hinge on Russia for a long time to come, he said, adding that Moscow could only be kept at bay "from a position of strength, unity within the alliance and capable armed forces."

"There is no reason for us to reduce our efforts. Quite the contrary," said the foreign minister. "I can only strongly advise against making any concessions in all these projects and plans, because only a position of strength will lead to greater security for us in NATO and also for us in Germany."

If the Russian army were to achieve lasting military success in Ukraine, "this would pose a serious threat to NATO," Wadephul warned.

For this reason alone, supporting Ukraine remains one of Germany's own security interests, he added.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius estimated last month that Russia might be able to attack a NATO country on the alliance's eastern flank by 2029 after rebuilding its armed forces.

Credible US security guarantees for Kiev

Wadephul also stressed the importance of credible Western security guarantees for Kiev, above all from the United States, as negotiations over a ceasefire in Ukraine continue.

"That naturally means a commitment and a genuine willingness on the part of those making the promises to stand by Ukraine should it be attacked again by Russia," Wadephul told dpa.

The foreign minister said Ukraine could only be prepared to make concessions - including possible territorial concessions - if these were accompanied by reliable security guarantees from the West, first and foremost from the US.

Europeans would also have to contribute, he said.

How these contributions are structured is something "we will discuss in more depth once we have a ceasefire and once we see that Russia is genuinely prepared to think seriously about peace," Wadephul said.

Moscow was presenting itself as willing to negotiate, he added, but that was not the same as a genuine willingness to make peace. "We have not seen that to date," Wadephul said.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for over three and a half years.