Munich (dpa) – In view of the worrying news from eastern Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urgently warned Russia against an attack and called for negotiations. “War is threatening again in Europe,” the German head of government said on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference. The demand now, he said, must be “as much diplomacy as possible without being naïve.”
In his speech, Scholz criticised Russia for elevating the question of Ukraine’s possible Nato membership to a “casus belli” – a reason for war. “That is paradoxical: because there is no decision to be made on this at all,” Scholz stressed. In the “near future”, Ukraine will not join Nato.
In negotiations with Russia, a distinction must be made between Russia’s untenable demands and legitimate security interests. Scholz declared the right to free choice of alliance, i.e. also the possibility in principle for Ukraine to join Nato, to be non-negotiable. “At the same time, there are security issues that are important for both sides. First and foremost, transparency in weapons systems and exercises, mechanisms for risk avoidance or new approaches to arms control.”
Scholz also reiterated his rejection of arms deliveries to Ukraine. In this context, he pointed out that Germany was the largest donor of financial aid to Ukraine and would continue to do so.
Scholz called on both parties to the conflict to implement the Minsk peace agreement for eastern Ukraine, which is being fought over between pro-Russian separatists and government troops. “Of course, I have no illusions. Quick successes are not to be expected. But: we will only break through the dynamics of the crisis if we negotiate.” After all, nothing less than peace in Europe is at stake.
In the event of an invasion of Ukraine, participants at the security conference again threatened the Russian leadership with retaliation. The EU and its transatlantic partners continue to work on a robust package of financial and economic sanctions, including on energy and cutting-edge technology, said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.