00:00And with me is Germany's Foreign Minister, designate Johann Wadephul.
00:05Mr. Wadephul, how will Germany feel different to its allies and around the world under this incoming coalition?
00:12I think there will be a lot of continuity because Germany was always a country with a clear will to make Europe greater,
00:22the European Union capable to solve the problems we see on the world.
00:29So that will be the first thing for us.
00:32And the second one, of course, is the transatlantic relation to the United States of America,
00:39which is really a big problem for all Europeans right now.
00:44The new government will be engaged on that issue more than before.
00:48We will try everything to keep a very close contact and to really strengthen our relations
00:55and to strengthen NATO and the European Union.
00:58Now, we've interviewed you many times also as a defense expert for the conservative CDU party.
01:03We heard from Friedrich Merz reiterating the transatlantic relationship,
01:07but also speaking on Ukraine very clearly, saying that Germany is not a party to the conflict,
01:13but not a bystander either. How will you define that in office?
01:17I think it must be clear for everybody on the scenery, especially for Vladimir Putin, that we will stand with Ukraine.
01:26We will support Ukraine and to offer Ukraine the opportunity to be on ice level with Russia.
01:34I think Vladimir Putin has to know that and all, especially our partners in Eastern Europe,
01:42can be assured that there will be no special relationship between Germany and Russia.
01:50But we will do each and every thing concerning this war together with our European partners,
01:59together of course included with the United States of America,
02:02where we will strengthen our efforts to bring the United States in and to make clear to the Trump administration
02:12that it is in their very interest to have a very strong Ukraine in the European community right here.
02:24We will take up office as Germany celebrates 70 years as part of NATO, which Friedrich Merz, the chancellor-designate himself,
02:32no longer seems to see as a given. He says he's not sure what will happen in the future.
02:37What is your prediction?
02:39The next summit is CORE. This has to be the summit that we assure ourselves that we stand together,
02:52that we see our security future only within the framework of NATO,
02:58that of course Europe has to contribute more on defense as before.
03:05Germany will go in a leadership position also on that field,
03:10but we also want to hear from Washington that they appreciate our efforts
03:19and that they also stick to our common goals.
03:23Now Vladimir Putin has announced that he now wants a ceasefire between the 8th and the 11th of May.
03:30How do you read that? What kind of signal is that for you?
03:33It's a first signal, but these are words. Deeds are needed.
03:38After three years of war, we only look what's happening on the battlefield.
03:45If that happens, that may be a first step for further ones, for reaching out to a real truth.
03:56And that could be the ground then for negotiations on a reliable peace for both of the countries.
04:05And just finally, let me ask you, what does it feel like to know that next week you will be Germany's foreign minister?
04:12It's still a new feeling, still astonishing for me a little bit.
04:18And I feel the responsibility for Germany.
04:22I feel that a lot of eyes are looking on this government and we'll do our very best.
04:28Johan Waderful, German Foreign Minister-designate. Thank you very much.
04:31Thank you very much.
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