A Ukrainian soldier is seen in a frontline position near New York City (Novhorodske) in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, December 17, 2021.
Oleksandr Klymenko | Reuters
Amid accusations that Berlin is not doing enough to ease tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and that it is being compromised by its gas pipeline project with Moscow, Germany’s new chancellor has said that “keeping silent is not a wise option” after years of tension for the door of Europe.
For several months, the international community has expressed concern that Russia is planning to invade Ukraine after it reportedly gathered 100,000 troops at the border. Russia denies having any such plans, but has demanded that NATO’s military alliance not expand eastward and allow Ukraine to join.
“After years of mounting tensions, silence is not a wise option,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said during a videoconference address at the virtual event The Davos Agenda on Wednesday, adding that in Europe “borders should not be moved by force”.
Tensions between Russia and its neighbor Ukraine have been high for several years, with relations reaching an all-time low after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and supported a pro-Russian insurgency in the east of the country.
Reflecting on the intense talks between US, European and NATO officials with Russia in recent weeks, Scholz said that “it is too early to say whether they will help de-escalate the situation Russia has created by sending 100,000 troops along the border with Ukraine.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sits in front of a camera as he delivers his speech to the Davos Agenda 2022, at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, January 19, 2022.
Markus Schreiber | Reuters
Germany’s perspective in the talks, Scholz added, was to emphasize “our commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and to a key principle of our common European peace order, that borders should not be moved by force, that right is power.” and not the other way around .”
The Russian side is “aware of our determination,” he said, adding: “I hope they realize that the benefits of cooperation outweigh the cost of further confrontation.”
Germany, along with France, has been trying to negotiate peace agreements between Russia and Ukraine for several years, but the pacts, known as the “Minsk accords”, have been poorly enforced, with both Russia and Ukraine accusing each other of violate agreements.
However, with the recent completion of a gigantic gas pipeline (Nord Stream 2) between Russia and Germany, Berlin has been accused of being compromised by the project, for which it has not yet authorized its use, and of undermining the negotiating position of Europe vis-a-vis Russia as a result.
During a visit by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to Moscow on Tuesday, she said there is “no understandable reason” for the Russian military build-up near Ukraine, adding that it is “difficult” not to take this step. seen as a “threat”. .”
Ukrainian officials have complained about Germany’s unwillingness to send defensive weapons to help Kiev, as the British have done for the past week.
The lingering question for many viewers of the tensions in Ukraine and Russia remains: how far are Germany, Europe, the US and NATO willing to go to defend Ukraine?
– Don’t miss Geoff Cutmore’s talk with ECB President Christine Lagarde, Brazilian Economy Minister Paulo Guedes, IMF Director Kristalina Georgieva and Indian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati at 7:30 a.m. ET Friday. They discuss the “Global Economic Outlook” on the Davos Agenda. You can watch live here.
— Silvia Amaro of The Washington City Times contributed to this story.
