Olaf Scholz made his inaugural go to as German chancellor to Moscow on Tuesday to fulfill with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the continued disaster on the Russian-Ukrainian border dominating the agenda.
Scholz arrived in Moscow after a visit to Kyiv on Monday, the place he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to strengthen Berlin’s help within the face of Russian aggression.
“A very powerful factor is that we handle relations between nations via good discussions with one another,” Scholz mentioned as he met Putin, including he was glad the 2 leaders had been in a position to meet head to head.
In a joint press convention after assembly, the chancellor mentioned he hopes that within the close to future the “blockages” in dialogue shall be resolved with additional high-ranking discussions.
“It’s our absolute obligation as heads of presidency that Europe doesn’t see an escalation into struggle,” Scholz mentioned.
“We’re able to work additional collectively. We’re able to go down the negotiations observe,” Putin informed the press convention.
Putin added that Germany “is one in all Russia’s most vital companions” and mentioned it supposed to cooperate additional with Berlin. He emphasised the function of financial ties between the 2, with Germany being Russia’s second-biggest commerce companion after China.
Talks between Scholz and Putin had been socially distanced as a result of German chancellor’s refusal to take a Russian PCR check
What did Olaf Scholz say about Ukraine?
Scholz mentioned the build-up of troops on the Ukrainian border “could be seen as a menace.” Nonetheless, “we now hear that extra troops are being withdrawn that could be a constructive sign and we hope extra will comply with,” he added.
“For Europeans, it’s clear that lasting safety can’t be achieved towards Russia however solely with Russia,” he informed reporters.
The chancellor added that the “inviolability of borders … is to not be negotiated,” referring to Ukraine.
“Dialogue can’t finish in a cul de sac, that might be a catastrophe for everybody,” he added, “you will need to go the street of diplomacy in order to keep away from struggle in Europe.”
Each leaders expressed willingness to proceed dialogue
Putin says Russia doesn’t need struggle
Responding to a query from DW’s Michaela Küfner about the opportunity of struggle, Putin responded: “We are not looking for struggle in Europe.”
The Russian president then referred to Scholz’s earlier remark that “individuals of this technology discover it onerous to think about struggle in Europe.”
“That’s precisely why we’ve made our proposals, to begin a course of of debate over equal safety for everyone
On NATO, Putin mentioned that “nations have the fitting to affix army alliances as our colleagues in NATO all the time keep, however it’s also vital to take care of one’s safety not at the price of the safety of different nations.”
“We’re additionally prepared to proceed the dialogue course of,” the Russian president added.
On economics, Putin mentioned Germany “is one in all Russia’s most vital companions” and mentioned it supposed to cooperate additional with Berlin. He emphasised the function of financial ties between the 2, with Germany being Russia’s second-biggest commerce companion after China.
On the subject of the Nord Stream 2 gasoline pipeline, he mentioned “let me clarify that we’re prepared to proceed delivery gasoline via Ukraine past 2024.”
A significant difficulty amongst Western powers with Nord Stream 2 has been its place in sidestepping Ukraine, which depends on gasoline income that’s transported via the nation.
Berlin’s ambiguous relations with Moscow
Germany has discovered itself in a troublesome state of affairs concerning the specter of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. It’s each a member of NATO and an vital commerce companion for Russia.
Berlin has repeatedly vowed its help for Ukrainian sovereignty, however has been much less eager on threats of abandoning the controversial Nord Stream 2 gasoline pipeline that might deliver Russian gasoline straight into Germany.
Germany has additionally been criticized for refusing to promote weapons to Kyiv as a result of area being an energetic battle zone.
Scholz’s journey is a “last-minute try… to keep away from struggle” however it’s “‘as much as Putin to now ship indicators for de-escalation,” conservative German lawmaker Thomas Silberhorn informed DW on Tuesday.
Concerning a plan of action for sanctions, Silberhorn warned they might go “far past financial” ones, with “your entire relations between Russia and Western nations” being at stake.
Requested about Germany’s stance on Nord Stream 2, Silberhorn mentioned “Germany is able to embrace the Nord Stream 2 pipeline into quite a lot of sanctions of the Western nations,” however as a part of a broader sanctions bundle.
Deutsche Welle’s destiny in Russia
Scholz mentioned he had additionally mentioned with Putin the opportunity of Deutsche Welle being given again its broadcasting rights in Russia.
The Kremlin just lately banned the broadcasting of Deutsche Welle in Russia after the Russian state-backed channel RT didn’t safe a authorized license for broadcasting in Germany.
Scholz mentioned he expects that “Deutsche Welle will be capable of proceed its work in Russia.” On the similar time, Putin mentioned he was open to additional discussions on the matter.
ab/wmr (dpa, AFP, Reuters)