Camilla Jessen
Germany and Lithuania call out Putin’s “peace bluff” during a high-stakes visit to Kyiv.
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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys arrived in Kyiv on April 1, where they pledged continued military and humanitarian support for Ukraine and called on Europe to remain united in the face of Russia’s ongoing war.
The visit, reported by Deutsche Welle, comes at a time of uncertainty in U.S.-Russia relations, with European leaders increasingly taking the diplomatic lead in backing Ukraine.
“We Stand With Ukraine—Now More Than Ever”
Baerbock stressed that European unity is critical at this stage of the war.
“With US-Russia relations at a standstill, it is more crucial than ever for us Europeans to show that we support Ukraine—without any ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’—and that we stand with it now more than ever,” she said on her arrival in Kyiv.
She emphasized Ukraine’s willingness to reach a ceasefire, saying the Ukrainian people “want peace more than anyone,” but placed the blame for stalled peace efforts squarely on the Kremlin.
“It is Putin who is stalling, who does not want peace, and who continues his aggressive war in violation of international law,” Baerbock said. “He pretends to be open to negotiations, but he has not retreated a single step from his goals.”
Warning Against a ‘Peace Illusion’
The German Foreign Minister warned that Western nations must not be misled by Moscow’s talk of peace while it continues its military campaign.
“Putin’s plan to take Kyiv in three days failed. He is now dragging Russia through a war of attrition he cannot win,” she said. “We must not let Putin and his cronies blind us. A mere offer of peace does not mean peace.”
Baerbock indicated that this message will be taken directly to the U.S. and NATO allies at an upcoming NATO foreign ministers’ meeting.
“We plan to make it clear to the United States that we must not fall for Putin’s delaying tactics,” she added.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys echoed Germany’s message of full support for Ukraine, calling on European partners to increase both humanitarian and military assistance.
Budrys, who has previously warned of the long-term threat posed by Russia to Baltic states and beyond, said that Ukraine’s fight is “Europe’s fight” and that “any hesitation now will only cost us more later.”
The visit came as Ukraine continues to seek more weapons and diplomatic backing, particularly as ceasefire talks remain stalled and Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure continue.
