It is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plan to draw NATO into the war, but Germany will not allow it, says the German foreign minister.
– He makes it more than clear that he is beyond the reach of rational arguments and values for humanity. And he certainly does not want to negotiate, says Annalena Baerbock, according to Tagesspiegel.
– There is no longer any limit to the brutality of Putin’s war, she says
According to the newspaper, Baerbock repeats that Germany will not send troops into Ukraine, but at the same time the German foreign minister expects that Russia will escalate the conflict with Ukraine and the West
She claims it is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plan to draw NATO into the war, “but Germany will not allow it”. “We have made it very clear from the beginning that we will never allow that. And that’s for sure.”
– We will not be intimidated by Putin’s course for dehumanization. Because we can only win peace and humanity in Europe through our own strength.
Since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022, the Russian president has repeatedly tested the solidarity of us Europeans, the foreign minister said.
– Putin is not only waging his war with his military. But also with fake news, manipulation and targeted influence – the recent exposure from the Czech government is just one example of how Russia wants to undermine our democracies.
Baerbock strongly warned against a Ukrainian defeat in the war.
– It is impossible to imagine what will happen if they lose it. Humanity must win. And for this, Ukraine is fighting against Putin’s blind hatred of destruction. If Putin wins, the security of all of us in Europe and the international order will also be at risk, she said. “The support for Ukraine is our own security guarantee.”
At the same time, Baerbock warned against a continuation of the public debate about a possible delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.
– Some of the Russian war propaganda serves the purpose of dividing and destabilizing Western democracies. We cannot allow that, she said. “This is especially true when we are facing elections – like now before the European or state elections in Germany.”
Asked if Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) blocked a Taurus delivery out of fear of Putin, Baerbock said: “The chancellor is not afraid of Putin.”
