German Chancellor concerned about Russia’s actions near Ukraine’s borders News – current news about world events DW
Speaking in the Bundestag on Wednesday (January 12th), German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed deep concern over Russia’s new transfer of troops and equipment to the border with Ukraine.
“This is a serious threat without in Europe. The increase in the military along the Ukrainian border should worry us. Personally, I am very, very worried,” he said.
Scholz accused Russia of annexing Crimea to Ukraine in 2014, violating the basic principle of the inadmissibility of a new redistribution of borders in Europe. He stressed that this principle must be met.
At the same time, the Chancellor expressed satisfaction with the reopening of talks with Russia through various channels: the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the NATO-Russia Council, and contacts between US and Russian delegations.
Read also: NATO-Russia consultations: a step towards compromise or confrontation?
In addition, the Chancellor promised that the German government is also actively seeking the resumption of negotiations in the “Norman format” (Ukraine, Russia, Germany, France), which aims to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Donbass. “Negotiations are under way at four levels. This is good progress. All diplomatic means must be used to improve European security,” Scholz was quoted as saying by dpa.
Security talks
Security talks between the United States and Russia took place on January 10. At them, Moscow and Washington failed to make progress on banning Ukraine’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which Russia insists on.
On 12 January, for the first time in two and a half years, a NATO-Russia meeting was held. In Russia, Russia has its own, including a requirement for a NATO proposal that will accept new members. The Alliance said it was not ready to compromise on the issue. At NATO, we believe that Moscow is specifically providing an opportunity on the border with Ukraine for the threat of invasion to lift the Alliance forward.
Consultations between Russia and the OSCE will take place on January 13. Meanwhile, the United States and the European Union have threatened Russia with harshest sanctions in the event of an invasion of Ukraine.
Read also: The US may restrict imports of smartphones to Russia in the event of its invasion of Ukraine – media