Germany's Wadephul doubtful that Putin is ready to talk peace

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of repeatedly making up "excuses" to avoid entering peace talks with Ukraine, expressing scepticism that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's trip to Moscow will yield results.

"Vladimir Putin is always looking for new excuses for why he doesn't want to negotiate," Wadephul said during a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdel-Atty in Berlin.

"That's why I still have my doubts as to whether he is seriously prepared to talk about peace at all."

Witkoff is expected to meet Putin in Moscow later for further talks on efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Wadephul said he and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio were in strong agreement that it was "time for a ceasefire."

In a phone call on Monday, they also discussed that a durable end to the war needs to lead to permanent peace and security in Ukraine and the rest of Europe, Germany's top diplomat said.

Wadephul thanked the Trump administration for its efforts to end the fighting.

Witkoff's talks in Moscow are part of those efforts, he added.

The fact that talks are being held at all show that Moscow might also be interested in "finding out once again whether a solution is possible," Wadephul said.

"We will continue to step up our efforts to support Ukraine."