Germany and Britain back Zelenskyy after Trump calls for his replacement
Source published: Oct 11, 2026 · 9:05 AM EDT · Event: 2026-10-11
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul publicly backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after President Donald Trump called for Ukraine to replace him, Reuters reported. Wadephul said Germany fully supported Zelenskyy in carrying out his duties and argued that Russia’s Vladimir Putin needed more pressure—not less—to return to negotiations. Germany is Ukraine’s largest European donor. Britain also said it would continue strengthening sanctions on Russia after Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with Zelenskyy.
Response / context
The statements mark visible disagreement with Trump’s call for new Ukrainian leadership and his temporary easing of U.S. sanctions on Russian fuel, but they do not by themselves establish a formal change in NATO policy, a new military commitment or progress toward a ceasefire. Trump has said Zelenskyy should be replaced and has blamed Ukrainian refinery attacks for high U.S. diesel prices. Germany said it would maintain sanctions on Russia; the British government said it would strengthen sanctions and further constrain Russia’s war effort. Russia’s response to the new allied statements was not identified in the reviewed sources.
Dates and scope
Source publication: Oct 11, 2026 · 9:05 AM EDT
Event or conduct: 2026-10-11. Germany’s foreign minister publicly backed Zelenskyy October 11 after Trump called for Ukraine to replace him. Britain had separately pledged October 10 to strengthen sanctions on Russia after its prime minister spoke with Zelenskyy.
Dated report. Publication, event and review times are different; the review time is when the sources were last checked, not a live update.
This brief preserves the available response and disposition. Coverage is non-exhaustive. How we review sources.
Read the original sources
- Reuters: Germany backs Ukraine's Zelenskiy after Trump's call for his removal ↗
Authoritative October 11 report on Germany’s support for Zelenskyy, its call for more pressure on Russia and Britain’s sanctions position
- UK Government: PM call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 10 October 2026 ↗
Primary government readout confirming Britain’s pledge to strengthen sanctions on Russia and take further action against its war effort
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