Baerbock ahead of Ukraine visit: Peace in Europe at stake

This was stated by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock before leaving for Ukraine on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“During my visit to Kyiv, I will once again clearly, without possible interpretations, make clear the positions we stand for: as Ukraine's partner in the EU, NATO, and the G7, we stand without any ‘buts’ and ‘ifs’ in matters of territorial integrity on the side of the people of Ukraine. Together, we will respond to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine with tough, very concrete measures," Baerbock said.

The foreign minister noted that her second trip to Ukraine in less than a month continues what is at the heart of diplomacy – the efforts to resolve extremely dangerous conflicts peacefully. According to Baerbock, given the Russia-Ukraine situation over the recent weeks, everyone can understand how complicated it is. "But at the same time, we all understand what’s at stake when we see the Russian military buildup in the border area with Ukraine, military maneuvers, and other threatening gestures and provocations: it is no less than peace in Europe," she said.

The top diplomat stressed the need to fight for this peace with all might and determination.

In the current explosive situation, the German Foreign Minister is particularly impressed by one thing: the prudence with which people in Ukraine act. When parties try to achieve de- through such channels as the Normandy format, in the end it is not purely about political issues, it’s about these people, she added. Ukrainians in the east live in constant fear of escalation, trying to survive another winter in terrible humanitarian conditions. They lack a vision of the future – and all this is happening in the heart of Europe,” Baerbock said.

The German foreign minister said she plans to talk to the people on the line of contact in person. Therefore, in addition to holding political talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, this time Baerbok will visit the line of contact in eastern Ukraine and listen to residents to "get a first-hand view of their experiences, impressions, and concerns."

"That’s to include this in the political negotiations, which we seek to continue with all our might," Baerbock said.

As reported earlier, during her visit on February 7-8, the German Foreign Minister will visit Zaporizhia, in addition to Kyiv, from where she will travel further east.

This is Baerbock's second visit to Ukraine after the first one she made on January 17.

Initially, a joint visit of the German and French foreign ministers was scheduled, but French Minister Jean-Yves le Drian will eventually accompany President Emmanuel Macron on his visits to Moscow and Kyiv.

Photo: Christoph Soeder / dpa

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