BERLIN 

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has criticized US President Donald Trump for undermining Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling the tense White House exchange another sign of “a new era of ruthlessness” in today's world.

Baerbock told a news conference on Saturday that, like many others, she couldn't sleep well the previous night after watching events at the White House, where Trump harshly criticized Zelenskyy and claimed the Ukrainian president was not ready for peace.

“Unfortunately, this was not a bad dream, but harsh reality,” she said.

“A new era of ruthlessness has begun. A ruthless time in which we must defend the rules-based international order, and the strength of the law more than ever against the might of the strongest.”

Baerbock voiced support for Zelenskyy's position that any negotiations with Russia should ensure “a just and lasting peace,” not merely a temporary ceasefire without security guarantees for Ukraine.

“No one needs or desires peace more than the Ukrainians. The diplomatic efforts of the US are of course important — but such peace must be just and lasting and not just a pause until Russia's next attack,” the foreign minister said.

“No one should therefore be mistaken about the enemy: He sits solely in the Kremlin, not in Kyiv or Brussels,” she said.

“We can never accept a reversal of perpetrator and victim. Because a reversal of perpetrator and victim is the opposite of security. It is the opposite of peace and therefore cannot be a good deal,” Baerbock added.

She called on European countries to stand up for international law and defend their interests, and provide stronger support for Ukraine.

“We Europeans must move forward more strongly than ever before and resolutely stand up for our interests and international law - without ifs and buts,” Baerbock said.

“For us, therefore, it is clear: We stand rock-solid by the side of the sovereign and free Ukraine. Ukraine is part of a free and democratic Europe,” she added.