The German chancellor recalled this Sunday that the sanctions imposed on Russia for the annexation of Crimea and support for the Donbass separatists are still in force and she was open to applying similar measures in the future to guarantee European security.
In the traditional summer interview with public radio ARD, in which he also answers questions from citizens, Olaf Scholz said that there are security guarantees that are being discussed “very intensely”also with Ukraine, “because this is the central issue for the peace order after the war”.
“What we can [fazer], we have already shown it. The openness to reactivate sanctions at any time, for example, plays a role,” said the foreign minister, adding that the discussion on security guarantees that can be offered to Ukraine is “an unfinished process”.
He also said the issue is “in careful diplomatic preparation” for the day the war ends, which he hopes will be soon.
He added that it is clear that the situation in Ukraine is not the same as in NATO member countries.
“It is obvious that no matter what happens, we will always defend the Baltic states or Poland with our own troops,” he said.
Scholz explained that when he talks to Russian President Vladimir Putin, he always reminds him that the sanctions —“certainly not very strong”, he admitted— that were imposed on Moscow after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 “are still there”, as is the applied in support of the separatist uprising in eastern Ukraine.
“But the sanctions that we have now imposed on Russia will remain. The idea of a dictated peace is absurd,” said the foreign minister, referring to the message that he repeatedly conveys to the Russian head of state in the talks they are holding, in which he also urges Putin to reach “a fair agreement with Ukraine”. “.
For Scholz, “an unconditional capitulation is not acceptable, nor is a dictated peace”.
“And that’s why it’s so important that let us make it clear that we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes“, with the economic means and humanitarian aid, and with regard to the supply of weapons and the various sanctions imposed, he said.
What is essential, he added, is united action, as reflected in the decision to accept Finland and Sweden as future NATO members.
Scholz was convinced that “the crisis initiated by Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine” and the protection of peace in Europe and the world will be an issue for a long time, as will the consequences of the war, including the famine that threatens many countries. rising prices or energy security.
Source: Observadora
