Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has clearly warned Russia against further aggression in the Ukraine conflict and has shown her willingness to take tough measures. After a conversation with her US counterpart Antony Blinken, Baerbock said the way out of the crisis was a political one that only led through dialogue. Unfortunately, the Russian behavior “speaks a different language”, for example through the deployment of troops to Belarus and military maneuvers in the border area with Ukraine. “We urge Russia to take steps to de-escalate,” Baerbock said. Any further aggressiveness would have “serious consequences”.
The Federal Foreign Minister emphasized: “The issue is nothing less than maintaining the European peace order. It is essential for us.” You have no choice but to consistently stand up for them and protect them with a protective shield. This also applies expressly if the measures “have economic consequences for us”. Baerbock also announced an upcoming joint trip to Ukraine with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Blinken said it was up to Russia whether to pursue escalation or diplomacy. 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.
Blinken sought clarification on controversial statements by US President Joe Biden, who appeared in a speech to distinguish between a “minor intrusion” into Ukraine and a full-scale invasion. Blinken said destabilizing actions by Russia could also be below the threshold of an overt military attack. However, he stressed that any crossing of the border by Russian troops would be an act of aggression and would provoke a “swift, serious and joint response” from the western allies.
Blinken described the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline as a “means of leverage” against, but not for, Moscow. No gas is yet flowing through the pipeline. This is undoubtedly something that Moscow is taking into account in its deliberations. Blinken will meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday. In Kiev, he announced on Wednesday that the United States would continue to provide military support to Ukraine despite Russian warnings. (01/20/2022)
Biden triggers irritation with statements about the western reaction
US President Joe Biden has caused irritation with his comments on the reaction to a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. The US Democrat appeared to imply at a press conference on Wednesday that threatened NATO sanctions could depend on the extent of a potential Russian invasion: “It’s one thing if it’s a minor intrusion,” Biden said. “But if they actually do what they are able to do with the forces gathered at the border, then it will be a disaster for Russia.”
In the latter case, Biden once again warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that an invasion would not be “child’s play” for Russia. Militarily, Russia has an “overwhelming superiority” over Ukraine. “But if they do, they will pay a heavy price. Immediate, short-term, medium-term and long-term.” When asked, Biden said he considered cyber attacks on Ukraine or attempts by Russian agents to create a pro-Russian mood in Ukraine as “minor intrusion”.
The US broadcaster CNN quoted an unnamed Ukrainian official said he was “shocked that US President Biden distinguished between incursion and invasion”. This gives the Russian President “the green light to invade Ukraine at will”.
The US opposition reacted indignantly to Biden’s press conference. The Republican Senator Lindsey Graham commented, he was “stunned” by Biden’s statement. It would have been better if he hadn’t said anything. The Conservative Senator Tom Cotton explained on Twitter, Biden gives Putin the “green light” for an invasion. The Republican Senator Rob Portman wrote, Biden’s formulation is “the wrong way to see this threat”.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki sought clarification shortly after Biden’s appearance. “President Biden has made it clear to the Russian President that if Russian forces move across the Ukrainian border, it will be another invasion, and the United States and our allies will respond quickly, harshly and as one,” Psaki said. The US President knows, however, that Russia has “an extensive range of instruments for aggression” below the threshold of military action – such as cyber attacks and paramilitary tactics. Biden has reiterated that even such aggression by the Russians “will be answered with a resolute, mutual and joint response”.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, warns of an escalation of the conflict after Biden’s threats. The statements do not contribute to relaxation and could lead to a destabilization of the situation, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday in Moscow, according to the Interfax agency. “They could give false hope to the hotheads of some representatives of the Ukrainian leadership that they will decide to start a civil war again and solve the problem in the south-east (Donbass) by force.”
At the press conference, the US President once again made it clear that Russia’s call for the United States to reject further eastward expansion of NATO is out of the question. At the same time, however, Biden seemed to be accommodating with Putin when he said: “The probability that Ukraine will join NATO in the near future is not very high.” (01/20/2022)
US allows arms shipments to Ukraine
The US allows the Baltic States to ship US-made weapons to Ukraine. The US State Department confirmed on Thursday that it had granted approval to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the United Kingdom.
The ministry did not provide details on the type of weapons. A person familiar with the process told Reuters news agency that Estonia was allowed to do so javelin-Anti-tank weapons and Lithuania stingers-Supply anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine. Under export control regulations, states must obtain authorization from the US Department of State before transferring weapons received from the US to third countries. (01/20/2022)
Blinking: “Don’t let Moscow divide you!”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has again made serious accusations against Russia in the Ukraine conflict. “Moscow has systematically tried to weaken Ukraine’s democratic institutions and divide Ukrainian society,” Blinken said after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Russia currently has around 100,000 soldiers on the Ukrainian border, said Blinken. That number could double in a relatively short period of time, he warned.
Amid the severe tensions in the Ukraine conflict, Blinken landed in Kiev on Wednesday morning for talks. He stressed that his visit was intended to show the United States’ “unwavering support” for Ukraine. Ukraine’s democracy, its fundamental right to exist as a sovereign, independent nation, faces an unprecedented challenge from Russia. “We have made it clear that we prefer a diplomatic route to defusing the conflict with Russia. That is the responsible route,” emphasized Blinken. Addressing Ukraine, he said: “Don’t let Moscow divide you!”
President Zelensky put some pressure on the brakes over the warnings of an invasion. “The risks have not existed for a day and they have not increased,” he said in a speech on Wednesday evening. “The only thing that has gotten bigger is the hype around them.” Addressing his compatriots, he said: “Now it is not our country that is taking action, but your nerves are being attacked so that you have a constant feeling of alarm.” (01/20/2022)