Germany's foreign minister indicated that strong backing for Ukraine and Israel may have hurt its chances after Berlin missed out on a rotating seat at the UN Security Council.

Johann Wadephul called the loss to Portugal and Austria a bitter setback following a vote on Wednesday evening to choose five new council members.

He pointed to Germany's steady support for Ukraine and said Russia did not want such a voice on the Security Council, noting it was no secret that Moscow had stirred opposition against Berlin.

The council includes five permanent members - China, France, Russia, the UK and the US - along with 10 temporary seats.

Wadephul added that Germany's clear positions on key issues are not shared by all member states.

He also suggested that Germany's special responsibility toward Israel in the Middle East conflict may have cost it votes.

The minister partly blamed the late start of Germany's campaign for the two-year term.

Russia has not replied to claims it lobbied against German membership.

Germany received 104 votes for one of the two Western European and Others Group seats, while Portugal secured 134 and Austria 131.

Kyrgyzstan, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe were also chosen for the council, the only UN body able to issue binding decisions such as sanctions or force authorization.

The outcome is a setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Merz said Germany would remain a strong backer of the international system and offered congratulations to Austria and Portugal.

He added that the result changes nothing about Germany's duties at the United Nations and that the country stays a reliable part of the multilateral framework.