“Russian actions are marked with a clear price tag,” said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday during her first visit to Washington. A renewed violation of Ukrainian sovereignty would have “grave consequences”. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Russia’s actions as a “challenge for peace and stability in Europe”.
Baerbock: “No decision without Europe”
Blinken threatened Russia with severe economic sanctions in the event of a military escalation. “And that’s not just the position of the United States and Germany. It’s the collective position of many countries, allies and partners that have come together,” he said. Baerbock emphasized that there could be “no decision on security in Europe without Europe”.
Differences emerged again on the issue of the military armament of Ukraine. Baerbock made it clear that the German government is not considering arms exports. The Green politician emphasized that Germany had supported Ukraine, for example, in setting up a military hospital. Blinken said the US would continue to supply Ukraine with defensive weapons. In the event of a Russian invasion, the US would arm Ukraine with such weapons even further than previously planned.
Talks between the USA and Russia in Geneva are planned for the coming week – January 10th. A meeting of the NATO-Russia Council is scheduled for January 12th – the first in two and a half years. In addition, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will hold talks on January 13th. The US has been accusing Russia of building troops in areas on the border with Ukraine for weeks. It is feared that Russian troops could invade the ex-Soviet republic. Russia denies such plans.
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