Germany hardens tone towards Russia over situation in Ukraine

the head of state German unequivocally pointed out the “responsibility” of Russia in the risk of a “war” breaking out in Europe as a result of the situation in Ukrainetrying to clarify the position of his country, sometimes accused of being complacent with Moscow.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier made these declarations coinciding with his re-election in office, the day before the head of government, Olaf Scholz, travels to Kiev and Moscow. The foreign minister has warned that Western sanctions will be “immediate” if Russia decides to invade Ukraine.

The position of president in Germany is mainly ceremonial, but the fact that its incumbent, a highly respected figure, makes these declarations is not trivial.

“There is a danger of a military conflict, a war in Eastern Europe and Russia bears the responsibility for that,” Steinmeier declared after his re-election to five years in office.

Steinmeier, a Social Democrat close to Chancellor Scholz, won his re-election thanks to the overwhelming majority granted to him by a special electorate, made up mainly of national and regional deputies.

He got 1,045 votes out of 1,045 cast, supported by all the major center-left and center-right parties.

Alluding to a growing “distance” of Russia from Europe, Steinmeier, who was at the head of German diplomacy for years, demanded firmness before Moscow.

“As we can see, peace cannot be taken for granted, you always have to act to preserve it, in dialogue, but when necessary things have to be said clearly, showing dissuasion and determination,” he said, to applause.

In this way, he responded to the numerous criticisms leveled in recent weeks against the position of the German government with respect to the Russian Executive.

“It is high time that Germany took off its Russian glasses in […] his policy towards Ukraine, because they cloud his vision2, declared the Ukrainian ambassador in Berlin, Anrij Melnyk, this Sunday during an interview with German public radio.

And, along the same lines as the head of state, Olaf Scholz was also firm this Sunday before traveling to Kiev on Monday and Moscow on Tuesday.

“In the event of military aggression against Ukraine, which would endanger its sovereignty and territorial integrity, this would lead to harsh sanctions, which we have carefully prepared and which we will be able to apply immediately with our allies in Europe and in NATO,” Scholz told the press conference. press, after the election of Steinmeier for the presidency of the country.

In an indication of growing concern in Berlin about the situation in Ukraine, a German government source acknowledged that “[la] concern [del gobierno] has increased” in relation to an eventual invasion.

“We believe that the situation is critical, very dangerous,” stressed the source, who requested anonymity, alluding to the warnings issued by the United States.

“Many elements point, very worryingly, in the direction” of current fears, he added.

But, despite everything, Germany continues to refuse to deliver “lethal” weapons to Ukraine, hiding behind a policy established after the Second World War in the country, which prohibits such sales in conflict zones.