Ukraine: "We are ready for any scenario" - German FM Baerbok holds talks in Kiev

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Mandatory credit: Ukrainian Foreign Ministry

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock commented on Ukraine’s security issues during a press conference following talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Monday in Kiev.

“We, as partners, wanted to make it clear that we stand for the security of Ukraine, the sovereignty of Ukraine. We stand for the security of the people. And therefore, we, as partners, are ready for any scenario with large-scale consequences economics-wise. We want the economic situation in Ukraine to improve. Therefore, as the European Union, we invest in many projects in Ukraine,” stated Baerbock.

Earlier on January 26, US Ambassador John Sullivan handed over to Moscow Washington’s written replies to the security assurance proposals. The US side has preferred to keep the document confidential.
Negotiations on security guarantees between Russia and the US were held in Geneva from 9 to January 10, and the NATO-Russia Council met in Brussels on January 12 to discuss, among other things, the non-expansion of the alliance to the east. The third meeting on security was held at the OSCE on January 13.

SOT, Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister: “Our trip had been coordinated following a French colleague, and we were planning the meeting with President [Zelensky]. The French side changed the plans. It is imperative to work our plans accordingly because every day is planned thoroughly to consider such things. Of course, I adapted my schedule following the changes.”

SOT, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian Foreign Minister: “There is no problem in meeting with President [Zelensky]; let’s not create conspiracy theories about it. Let me remind you that Annalena, on her previous visit to Kiev, met with President Zelensky and had a meaningful and long conversation. The diplomatic agenda in Kiev is rather intense these days as there are many phone talks, visits and the President [Zelensky] has a very busy schedule, so no one should not take the absence of this meeting as a political gesture. As for the weapons matter, then yes, it had been discussed. It is very important that diplomatically speaking, we did not only discuss questions of what Germany can not do for us but about Germany’s intentions to support Ukraine in the area of defence and safety. We had a frank conversation, and our positions differ, but Annalena’s goal and mine are to find common ground and decisions. I suppose that we did find common ground and draft a decision.”

SOT, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian Foreign Minister: “I want to confirm what Annalena said, that nobody will succeed in driving a wedge between Ukraine and Germany. So, I also want to say that no matter who tries in the Russian Federation, no one will succeed in driving a wedge between Ukraine and its partners. And this is what both Russia and the pro-Russian politicians in the respective countries are doing now, adding pressure from the other side.”

SOT, Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister: “The first question concerns security. We are not speculating among the public. We have made it clear that as a partner of NATO, a member of the G7, a member of the EU, we see different scenarios, and, of course, we are watching quite closely which troop movements, which exercises, and which reinforcements of troops are taking place on the border. We are following this closely. I also raised the issue of cyber security and what opportunities there are for destabilisation. It is also important that we do not draw any scenarios and constantly talk about them in our actions. Germany makes a great contribution to the security of Ukraine financially. An attack is possible militarily, or cyberattack, or a power outage. It’s worse than a tank attack. We, as partners, wanted to make it clear that we stand for the security of Ukraine, the sovereignty of Ukraine. We stand for the security of the people. And therefore, we, as partners, are ready for any scenarios with large-scale consequences economics-wise. We want the economic situation in Ukraine to improve. Therefore, as the European Union, we invest in many projects in Ukraine. Last time, I made it clear that we will implement various projects with German businesses here concerning hydrogen. Therefore, we have prepared a financial loan and are planning further financial assistance in this area since we, as a partner, stand beside Ukraine.”

#Ukraine #Germany #Baerbock #Kuleba

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