In the face of US-Russia talks on the future of Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) has taken a self-assured stance against the US administration. Europe’s role should not be diminished, as it would only play into the hands of the Russian agenda, she said on Wednesday. “I advocate for a self-assured approach towards the US administration.”
European states had shown frustration in recent days over being excluded from the talks and had expressed sharp criticism of the US’s changed position in the conflict. “We must not let ourselves be swayed by the recent discussions and must continue to keep a cool head – even in the face of the diversity of voices reaching us across the Atlantic” Baerbock said. “Lasting peace in Europe can only come from Europe.”
The country is standing at an existential crossroads for security and peace in Europe. “With a fake peace that would only give Russia a temporary reprieve for new war efforts, no one would be helped: not Ukraine, not Europe and not the US” she explained. Now, it is necessary to find out “whether Putin is finally ready to end his brutal war against the people of Ukraine or if he will continue the war with full force.”
At the same time, efforts are being made “with all our might” to further strengthen Ukraine. “Because it can only conduct negotiations on the path to its peace – and ultimately, Europe’s peace – from a position of strength” said the foreign minister. The EU’s 16th sanctions package, which aims to block circumvention of sanctions and sanction the Russian shadow fleet, is also being worked on. “We are hitting Russia where its war efforts hurt the most: in its foreign exchange earnings” Baerbock said.
Russia annexed the Ukrainian Crimean Peninsula on March 18, 2014, began the war in eastern Ukraine on April 13, 2014 and expanded it to the entire Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Baerbock indirectly rejected Trump’s recent statement that Ukraine had never started the war, saying, “No one except Putin has broken or wanted to break the peace in the heart of Europe. No one in Europe should, however, give rise to doubts that we are now doing everything for peace and security in Europe and the future of our children.