Russia should not underestimate the West’s commitment / Article

Scholch calls on Russia not to underestimate the West

Scholz said after the meeting that Russia should not underestimate the West’s determination to respond to any escalation in Moscow’s relations with Ukraine: “In this critical situation for all of us, Russia should not underestimate our unity and determination as partners in the EU and NATO. very seriously. “

“What is at stake now is nothing more and nothing less than preventing war in Europe. We want peace,” he said, calling on Russia to de-escalate the situation at Ukraine’s borders.

“Russia’s further military aggression against Ukraine will have very serious political, economic and strategic consequences for Russia,” Scholz said. “At the same time, we are ready for serious talks with Russia, for dialogue on European security issues,” he said.

During the conversation, Kariņš emphasized that Ukraine has the right to decide its own destiny – NATO and the EU must not give in to Russia’s unfounded demands, the State Chancellery informed.

“Russia is currently questioning the right of Ukrainian citizens to decide the fate of their country, threatening to force the European Union and NATO to comply with its unjustified demands. This is not acceptable. We European democracies opposed Putin’s Kremlin’s neo-imperialist approach to interstate relations. The challenges are great. I am convinced that we can best overcome them when we are united as European Union and NATO countries, ”Kariņš emphasized.

He called for awareness that the security threat posed by Russia, together with the change in the deployment of military forces in Belarus, was not a short-term challenge. This means that NATO’s presence on the Eastern Flank will have to be strengthened. Kariņš pointed out that when working on a solution to the situation, it is important not to give in to Russia’s unfounded demands, for example, to change NATO’s open door policy.

Germany and the Baltic states are united on many issues

The talks focused on Russia’s security threats and the European Union’s and NATO’s response to Russia’s actions.

The Prime Minister of Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš, the Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas and the President of Lithuania Gitan Nauseda arrived in Berlin for a meeting with Sholc.

The issues under discussion included both sanctions against Russia and arms supplies to Ukraine. On both of these issues, Germany’s position is known to be more lenient than that of the Baltic States. However, there are no significant differences of opinion with Germany – this is acknowledged by Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš.

“We, as members of the European Union and NATO, cannot submit to any Russian ultimatum. We must be united in sanctions if Russia really invades Ukraine.

That there would be a clear and unified response from sanctions, both from Europe and from NATO, including the United States, is that this coordination is really happening. So far, all indications are that it is. This is one of our important news, ”Kariņš admitted before meeting with Sholc.

“President Putin is fighting against Ukraine’s independence.”

Speaking to DW, Latvia’s Prime Minister @krisjaniskarins urged the West to support Ukraine and bolster NATO’s presence in the Baltic states. pic.twitter.com/nqDMslm3t8

— DW Politics (@dw_politics) February 10, 2022

Another important thing mentioned by the Prime Minister is that our NATO partners continue to strengthen their presence throughout the Eastern Flank, including in all three Baltic States. Germany has done so so far and has already promised to increase its contingent in Lithuania.

Disputes between Germany and the Baltic States over Nord Stream 2

However, controversy remains over Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Germany has so far been unprepared to say whether Russia will stop launching Nord Stream 2 with Russia if it launches a new attack on Ukraine. The Baltics would like Germany to at least not give up on cracking down on Nord Stream 2 as an option.

“Yes, it is important for us that Germany does not say that this is not an option. And so far they have not said so. We will certainly talk about this as well, looking for proof that this is and will remain an option.

“Of all the possible sanctions we have in the West, this could be a very appropriate sanction for the Russian economy,” says Kariņš.

The issue of arms supplies to Ukraine is also being discussed. Baltic politicians have repeatedly expressed the view that Ukraine is at war with us, because the Baltic states may be the next target of Russian aggression. It is therefore particularly important to stop the aggressor in good time and to continue to supply arms to Ukraine.

Until now, Germany had not allowed Estonia to send how many German-owned howitzers to Ukraine. Germany emphasizes impressive financial support for Ukraine, but refrains from disarming Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleb has acknowledged that Germany is encouraging Putin in this way.

A recent poll conducted in Germany by the public opinion research institute Forsa shows that the majority or 67% of respondents are dissatisfied with the German government’s response to the crisis in Ukraine.

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