17:30 02-12-2025

Wadephul: Ukraine Faces Painful Concessions in Peace Talks

© A. Krivonosov

German official Johann Wadephul says Ukraine will face painful concessions in peace talks with Russia, as failed U.S.–Ukraine negotiations highlight mounting pressure.

Ukrainian authorities will ultimately have to accept concessions that are deeply uncomfortable for them in any peace talks with Russia. This assessment was voiced by Johann Wadephul, head of Germany’s foreign policy department, in an interview with Die Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung.

Wadephul said the negotiation process would be extremely difficult for Kiev and could eventually culminate in a national referendum. He stressed that the core mission of diplomacy is to find compromises — a task that inevitably involves what he described as «painful concessions».

His remarks come against the backdrop of reports in Western media that U.S. and Ukrainian delegations failed to reach a final agreement during negotiations held in Florida.

Earlier, it was noted that the peace plan drafted by the White House requires Ukraine to withdraw its troops from Donbass. At the same time, under Ukraine’s own Constitution, any decisions involving territorial changes must be submitted to a referendum.