No peace over the heads of Ukrainians and Europeans, says German foreign minister

BERLIN (Reuters) - There must be no peace in Ukraine over the heads of Ukrainians and Europeans, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Friday at the start of the Munich Security Conference.

"A sham peace - over the heads of Ukrainians and Europeans - would gain nothing," Baerbock said in a statement. "A sham peace would not bring lasting security, neither for the people in Ukraine nor for us in Europe or the United States."

The comment comes after U.S. President Donald Trump startled U.S. allies by calling Vladimir Putin and announcing the start of peace talks.

Baerbock called for intensive talks with U.S. and international partners at the Munich Security Conference, an annual international gathering of political leaders, military officers and diplomats in the German city.

"Peace will only come through strength. This requires tough and long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, a strong NATO and progress in Ukraine's accession negotiations with the European Union," she said.

(Writing by Friederike Heine; Editing by Ludwig Burger)