Baerbock and Blinken warn Russia against aggression: “All measures on the table”

Ukraine conflict
“All measures on the table”: Baerbock and Blinken warn Russia against aggression

Diplomatic efforts to contain the Ukraine crisis are currently in full swing. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock therefore received US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, her French colleague Jean-Yves Le Drian and Great Britain’s Deputy Foreign Secretary James Cleverly for consultations in Berlin on Thursday. After the four-way meeting at the Federal Foreign Office, Baerbock and Blinken had bilateral talks.

They are in close contact with each other, said the Foreign Minister in Berlin. “We agree that the only way out of the crisis is a political way,” said Baerbock. This is only possible with dialogue. “Unfortunately, the Russian behavior speaks in a different language,” she said, referring to troop deployments to the border with Ukraine and maneuvers with Belarus. Russia was urged to take steps to de-escalate. “It’s about preserving the European peace order.” This is of existential importance. “Millimetre steps” will be taken in the direction of safety. She warned that Russian aggression would have “serious consequences”. Should there be further aggression, “all measures would be put on the table”.

Blinken accuses Russia of dividing its allies

Antony Blinken first thanked his counterpart for the partnership between Germany and the USA. According to the US Secretary of State, the USA, Germany and the Western allies are united in the Ukraine conflict against aggression by Russia. It is up to Russia whether it takes the path of escalation or diplomacy, said Blinken. The election cannot be taken from Russia.

In any case, Moscow will find the United States, Germany and the other partners united. Blinken accused Russia of wanting to split its western allies. He again warned Moscow of severe consequences if Russian troops invaded Ukraine.

Nord Stream 2 possible as leverage against Russia

The US Secretary of State sees the crisis in the controversial Russian-German Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline as a “means of pressure” against Moscow. “It’s also worth noting that no gas is flowing through Nord Stream yet, meaning the pipeline is leverage for Germany, the United States and our allies, not Russia,” Blinken said. This is undoubtedly something that Moscow is taking into account in its deliberations – “especially in view of the clear declarations by the countries about the serious consequences that Russia faces if it undertakes further aggression against Ukraine,” Blinken continued. “So we are at a crucial point.”

On Tuesday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) threatened Russia with “high costs” in the event of an invasion of Ukraine. When asked whether this would also have consequences for the already completed pipeline, he said “that everything has to be discussed if there is a military intervention against Ukraine”.

In addition to Russia and Ukraine, Iran and China also played a role in the talks.

Because of the massive Russian troop deployment on the border with Ukraine, the West fears that Russia is preparing to invade the neighboring country. Moscow rejects the accusations and is demanding security guarantees from NATO, including a waiver of further eastward expansion. The defense alliance rejects this.

Blinken visited Kiev on Wednesday and discussed ways out of the crisis with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The US Secretary of State warned of a “very short-term” increase in Russian troops on the border with Ukraine. The US government is aware of similar plans in Moscow, he said. Blinken wants to talk to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about the conflict in Geneva on Friday.

Biden: Putin will ‘move in’ on Ukraine

At a press conference in the White House on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden also commented on the conflict with Russia over Ukraine. At the same time, the politician of the Democratic Party expressed the assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin “will move into Ukraine”. He warned his Russian colleagues of a “catastrophe” for his own country should there be a widespread invasion of the neighboring country.

However, Biden caused irritation with the comment that a “smaller intrusion” by Russia into Ukraine could only result in a limited reaction from the NATO countries. The opposition Republicans sharply criticized the wording, and the White House later made it clear: “President Biden was very clear to the Russian President: If Russian military units cross the border into Ukraine, it will be another invasion, and it will be a fast, serious and provide a united response from the US and our allies.”

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AFP
DPA