Sunday 16 January 2022
Before Baerbock’s visit to Ukraine
Ukraine calls for strength against Russia
In the midst of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, Foreign Minister Baerbock will be making her first visit to Kiev and Moscow earlier this week. In the run-up, Ukraine’s chief diplomat is counting on Germany’s solidarity in view of the Russian troop deployment at the country’s border.
Shortly before Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s visit to Kiev and Moscow, her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba called on the federal government to show strength towards Russia. “We expect the new federal government to take a firm and clear course against Russian threats and attempts at intimidation – together with Ukraine and our partners and allies,” Kuleba told “Bild am Sonntag”.
“No business interest and no need to show understanding for Putin is worth allowing a bloody war in Europe,” warned Ukraine’s chief diplomat. Kuleba described Russian head of state Vladimir Putin as a “master” at stirring up fears.
From the point of view of the Ukrainian foreign minister, the head of the Kremlin follows a clear pattern of behavior: “First he creates problems and crises. Then he invites others to discuss the problems and crises with him and to solve them. And in the end he himself proposes solutions that demand concessions from his opponents.” However, they should confront Putin resolutely: “President Putin only stops where he is stopped, he only understands the language of strength.”
In “BamS”, Kuleba also confirmed his country’s will to join NATO. “If Putin wants to know why his neighbors are aspiring to NATO membership, all he has to do is look in the mirror,” he said.
Baerbock plans to travel to Kiev and Moscow early next week. According to French information, a joint visit with French Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian to the conflict area in eastern Ukraine is also planned. According to Baerbock, it wants to use “conversation channels at all different levels” in the current crisis situation. This requires a lot of perseverance, patience and “strong nerves”.
In view of a massive Russian troop deployment on the border with Ukraine, the West fears that Russia is currently preparing an invasion of the neighboring country after annexing Crimea in 2014. The Kremlin rejects this.