Wednesday, January 05, 2022
Update
Consequences in the Ukraine conflict
Baerbock and Blinken send a warning to Russia
During her first visit to the USA, Foreign Minister Baerbock and her colleague Blinken show a tough stance towards Russia. If they continue to act against Ukraine, they threaten “serious consequences”. However, the two foreign ministers disagree on one point.
In the Ukraine conflict, the USA and Germany have drawn ranks with Russia. “Russian actions are marked with a clear price tag,” said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on her first visit to Washington since taking office. A renewed violation of Ukrainian sovereignty would have “serious consequences” for Russia. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said before a negotiation marathon with Moscow that both Germany and the US saw Russia’s actions against Ukraine as “an immediate and urgent challenge to peace and stability in 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”. The “involvement of the European states concerned” is “central” in the upcoming talks.
Talks on several levels with Russia are planned from Sunday on because of the conflict in Ukraine. The EU and its member states only play a minor role in this, however. Moscow speaks primarily to representatives of the USA and NATO. This raises fears that Europe could be bypassed. Blinken protested at the press conference that this was not the case. “When it comes to European security issues, there will be no Europe without Europe,” he said.
Flashing: Stop Nord Stream 2 if attacked
Blinken demanded that in the event of a Russian military attack on Ukraine, the controversial Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 2 should not be allowed to start operating. “From our perspective, it is very difficult to imagine that gas will flow through this pipeline, that it will go into operation if Russia repeats its aggression,” said the US Secretary of State.
Baerbock merely pointed out that the Federal Network Agency had suspended the certification process for Nord Stream 2. “That is a condition in which we also have a means in our hand.” The German government would also take “effective measures” with its EU partners if Russia uses energy as a “weapon” or if it comes to “further aggressive actions”.
Differences emerged again on the issue of the military armament of Ukraine. Baerbock made it clear that the federal 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.
A massive Russian troop deployment with around 100,000 soldiers on the Ukrainian border in recent weeks is fueling fears in Ukraine as well as in the West that a Russian invasion of the neighboring state could be imminent. Moscow denies any plans to attack, rejects criticism of the troop movements and, for its part, accuses Kiev and NATO of “provocations”.