Summit in Moscow
Scholz: “Our damned duty to prevent a military escalation”
“Russia’s military troop formations and activities on the Ukrainian border took up a lot of space in our talks, as did, of course, the questions about the security guarantees that Russia formulated. I explained our assessment, my assessment of the security situation and how we, ours European partners, evaluate this development, but of course also perceive the deployment of troops as a threat.
In this regard, it cannot be overemphasized that we are very concerned about what is likely to become of 100,000 soldiers and their activities in the near future. We can see no rationale for this troop composition. Therefore, de-escalation is urgently required. And that is important in this tense and difficult situation, so that there is no war in Europe. The task now is to work resolutely and courageously to resolve this crisis peacefully.
In any case, the fact that we are now hearing that individual troops are being withdrawn is a good sign. We hope there are more to come. For the German government it is clear that further military aggression against Ukraine would have serious political, economic and strategic consequences. My impression is that everyone knows exactly. Such an escalation must therefore now be avoided with all strength, determination and prudence. For us Germans, but also for all Europeans, it is clear that sustainable security cannot be achieved against Russia, but only with Russia. But we all agree on that in NATO and in the European Union. And that is why it should be possible to find a solution, no matter how difficult and serious the current situation may seem. I refuse to describe them as hopeless. Everyone is now asked to act courageously and responsibly. That’s what I want to say: for my generation, war in Europe has become unthinkable and we must ensure that it stays that way. It is our damned duty and responsibility as leaders to prevent an escalation of war in Europe.”
During his first visit to Moscow, Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke to Waldimir Putin about the Ukraine conflict. There appears to have been no breakthrough on the matter, but both sides agree that talks must continue.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the struggle to reduce tensions in the Ukraine crisis. At the beginning of his first detailed conversation with the Kremlin boss, Scholz pointed out the “difficult situation” for peace and security in Europe. Shortly before, Moscow had declared that it wanted to start withdrawing the first troops from the south and west of the country.
Olaf Scholz conjures up the dialogue
In a direct conversation, Scholz called for an extensive dialogue about the Ukraine conflict. “Let’s continue to discuss these things through dialogue. We mustn’t end up in a dead end, that would be a disaster,” said Scholz. “The diplomatic possibilities are far from exhausted. And further: He sees no reasonable reason for the Russian troop deployment on the border with Ukraine. That is why de-escalation is now required. Scholz welcomed reports of a first troop withdrawal. “Our two countries are historical and cultural closely intertwined,” Scholz continued. There are diverse relationships and also great potential for economic relations.
“The fact that we are now hearing that individual troops are being withdrawn is definitely a good sign,” said Scholz. He hopes that another troop withdrawal will follow. “We are ready to talk with all partners and allies in the EU and NATO and with Russia about very specific steps to improve mutual or even better common security.” The Chancellor was unusually clear at the end of his statement: “Our damned duty to prevent an escalation of war,” said Scholz.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied that Russia is seeking war in the Ukraine crisis. “Do we want that or not? No, of course not,” he said. “That’s exactly why we made proposals for a negotiation process.” He announced his willingness to continue working with the West on European security issues.
“We are ready to go down the path of negotiations”
“We are ready for this joint work in the future,” said the Kremlin boss. “We are also ready to go down the path of negotiations.” The two politicians discussed the Ukraine conflict for several hours in Moscow. The West fears a Russian attack on Ukraine given the massive Russian troop buildup on the border. Moscow denies any intention to attack and demands security guarantees from NATO.
Putin has also promoted the commissioning of the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline. The infrastructure project strengthens energy security in Europe, he said in the Kremlin. According to Putin, it is a purely economic and environmentally friendly project with no “political tinge”. The line through the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany has been operational since December.
Russian troops on the border with Ukraine: These satellite photos make the West nervous
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Scholz also criticized Moscow’s actions against Deutsche Welle. “In our talks, I also expressed the expectation that Deutsche Welle would be able to continue its journalistic activities in Russia,” he said. Scholz was accompanied on his trip by a journalist from Deutsche Welle, who was recently banned from broadcasting by Moscow.
President Putin has shown himself willing to talk about the broadcasting ban on Deutsche Welle. It was agreed with Scholz “that we should think about how the problem can be solved”. Deutsche Welle was banned from broadcasting after the Commission for Licensing and Supervision (ZAK) banned the broadcasting of the Russian TV channel RT DE in Germany because it had never applied for a license.
Criticism of the case against Nawlany
The Chancellor was also critical of the trial against Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and the ban on the human rights organization Memorial. With Navalny, his stance was “very clear,” said Scholz: “His conviction is not compatible with the principles of the rule of law.” Germany is also “concerned” that “space for civil society is becoming more difficult” in Russia. This applies in particular with regard to those partners “with whom we have worked together for a long time and in an important way”.