Germany will not ease Russia sanctions despite Trump-Putin deal, government says

Germany's federal government confirmed on Saturday that it intends to maintain its current sanctions regime against Russia and will not move to reduce economic or diplomatic pressure on Moscow in the wake of the Trump-Putin agreement. The announcement underscores Germany's determination to keep its Ukraine policy independent from shifts in US foreign policy under the Trump administration.

Government position on sanctions

A German government spokesperson stated that sanctions remain in force and are linked to the conditions set out in international frameworks, particularly Russia's compliance with international law and the restoration of Ukrainian territorial integrity. The government indicated it would continue coordinating with European partners and does not view the US-Russia agreement as a trigger for reviewing the sanctions framework.

European context

Germany's position aligns with statements made by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who said Europe would not ease Russia sanctions following the Trump-Putin deal. European sanctions, imposed in packages since 2022, require consensus among EU member states to modify; Germany as the largest EU economy carries significant influence in that process. The government's statement is intended to reassure eastern European allies and Ukraine that Berlin remains committed to sanctions pressure.