Germany: Bundestag debates response to Russia-Ukraine border tensions

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SOT, Annalena Baerbock, German foreign minister (German): “This is anything but a simple political current event; because it is difficult not to see it as a threat when more than 100,000 soldiers with tanks and guns gather near Ukraine without any understandable reason and further troops are massed in Belarus. And the Russian government has confronted us with demands for so-called security guarantees that are incompatible with the European security order. The Federal Government is reacting to this with unity and determination, and to be honest, not with something that just comes to mind, but of course in close coordination with our EU partners, our NATO partners and within the framework of the G7. There we have made it absolutely clear that renewed military action against Ukraine would have massive consequences for Russia. On this basis, we are working on a strong package of sanctions.”

SOT, Annalena Baerbock, German foreign minister (German): “I was there last week, both in Ukraine and in Russia, to talk about it. Yesterday, President Zelensky once again made it clear how important Minsk [agreement framework] is for him, that he urgently wants a summit meeting to take place soon and that progress is needed in the negotiation process. For me and for this federal government, that is the absolute top priority.”

SOT, Annalena Baerbock, German foreign minister (German): “What we are currently doing in the context of economic cooperation is essential in this situation. Right now we need to strengthen Ukraine economically and financially; because in the 21st century you don’t just threaten with guns. We have seen in the pandemic what happens when supply chains fail. That is why we made, I made a conscious decision, that we will not reduce our embassy staff, but that we will support Ukraine by being present, by investing, by making diplomacy an absolute priority and by working together for the security of Ukraine and all of Europe.”

SOT, Friedrich Merz, Head of CDU (German): “The primary target of permanent destabilization by Russia has obviously been Ukraine for several years. First the illegal annexation of Crimea, at the same time the invading of eastern Ukraine by Russian troops and paramilitary units and for several weeks now a massive deployment of troops in several places, also in Belarus in a pincer attack on the whole of Ukraine. Ladies and gentlemen, I hope that we here in the German Bundestag will agree that this threat to peace in Europe comes exclusively from the Russian Federation and exclusively from Vladimir Putin.”

SOT, Lars Klingbeil, Head of SPD (German): “We state very clearly who is responsible for the escalation. This is the Russian side. The escalation that we are experiencing is emanating from Russia and we are looking with great concern at the illegal annexation of Crimea, at domestic political developments in Russia, at the violation of international law. We are clear. If the territorial integrity of Ukraine is attacked, then there is a clear, consistent and decisive answer, which this federal government has coordinated with its international partners.”

SOT, Lars Klingbeil, Head of SPD (German): “When the current situation is over, we have to look at the broader perspective again. There will be no lasting peace in Europe against Russia, only with Russia. And that’s why the Russian side must be given a clear signal: you’ve got it wrong. You’re on the wrong track. What you’re doing right now puts this European peace order a long way off. But the offer to sit down at the table and talk about how we organize peace and stability in Europe remains; that offer exists.”

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The German Bundestag held a session to discuss possible responses to the tensions between Russia and Ukraine at a sitting in Berlin on Thursday.

“This is anything but a simple political current event; because it is difficult not to see it as a threat when more than 100,000 soldiers with tanks and guns gather near Ukraine without any understandable reason and further troops are massed in Belarus,” said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

“We have made it absolutely clear that renewed military action against Ukraine would have massive consequences for Russia. On this basis, we are working on a strong package of sanctions,” she added.

Russia has repeatedly denied accusations it is amassing forces at the border with the intention of invading Ukraine.

Video on Demand: https://ruptly.tv/videos/20220127-037

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