I know the Russians and I know that the only thing they respect is a position of strength, and the way Trump is now presenting himself to Russia is from a position of weakness, German diplomat Christoph Heusgen told DW.
"Cutting off US military aid to Ukraine is not Trump's first mistake. Even before the negotiations began, Trump gave up two very important goats - Ukraine's membership in NATO and the country's territorial integrity. This approach of his can only cause astonishment. I have been negotiating with the Russians for a long time, I know them and I know one thing: the only thing they respect is a position of strength, and the way Trump is now presenting himself to Russia is from a position of weakness. I don't understand this," said German diplomat Christoph Heusgen, who chaired the Munich Security Conference until February 2025, in an interview with DW. He was previously Germany's ambassador to the UN and an advisor to Chancellor Angela Merkel.
DW: You're talking about "weakness". Can we consider Donald Trump to be acting as a neutral mediator against this backdrop? Given that what he is doing is rather to get closer to the Russian position.
Trump and J.D. Vance confuse the abuser with the victim
K. Heusgen: Yes, there is no way to talk about neutrality. We all saw this unthinkable performance in the Oval Office, during which the US president and even more so the vice president really insulted the president of Ukraine. The feeling was that the two of them were confusing criminals and victims.
DV: Negotiations between the US and Russia are continuing, further meetings between Zelensky and Trump are expected, and the EU also wants to be at the negotiating table. Can we assume that the role of the Europeans has become more significant in recent days?
K. Heusgen: I am not sure that negotiations are really taking place between the US and Russia. This is constantly being talked about, but I have not heard of Putin's inclination to make any concessions. All that comes out of the Kremlin are demands, as they have always been made. It all starts with the fact that he still does not recognize the legitimate president of Ukraine. He continues to demand that the country be neutral, he wants territories that he has not even occupied. It also continues to want us to more or less return to the status quo that existed before NATO enlargement.
Europe needs to take a strong position
It is important that we, Europeans, do our job when it comes to our own defense and to supporting Ukraine, to do more militarily than we have done so far. I hope that the future Chancellor of Germany will finally do what his predecessor refused to do - give Ukraine Taurus missiles. And if Europe takes a strong position, we will automatically find ourselves at the negotiating table, because our policy will carry weight.
And can we talk about a weakened position of NATO after the conversation between Trump and Zelensky and after the Munich Security Conference?
K. Heusgen: No. The billions that the EU intends to allocate for defense are billions needed to implement NATO's defense plans. NATO now has certain plans for the defense of Europe, and that is why forces and means are needed. NATO is the most successful defense alliance in history - the Alliance has provided our continent with the longest period of peace. We simply need to know that the European support in NATO is becoming stronger, that the Europeans can also act within this framework if at some point the Americans say - without us.
Trump has interests in Europe
That is precisely the challenge. However, I still rely on NATO and the United States, which have major economic interests in Europe - and this matters to Trump. Especially considering how many billions American companies have invested in Europe, as well as the fact that trade between Europe and America is the largest in the world. That is why Trump still has an interest in Europe remaining stable. Political and historical values clearly no longer exist.
DV: Can Ukraine hope for a faster accession to the EU as a guarantee of its security after the end of the war?
K. Heusgen: I think it is extremely important to have a perspective for Ukraine to join the EU. Unfortunately, EU membership is not a political act, it is a difficult task. It is about preparing the country that is to be accepted into the Community for the opening of markets. And vice versa - about preparing the EU for the acceptance of such a large country with a huge agricultural sector. A lot is required from both sides and it cannot happen quickly. I believe that membership should be achieved gradually - we should not have any illusions about this.