Baerbock shames Germans worrying about gas bills more than human lives in Ukraine
The minister addressed the issue while addressing the Bundestag during the general debate on September 7, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
"We have been using all our diplomatic power for the last six months to save lives. ...Every minute, we are trying (to bring peace - ed.)," the head of German diplomacy said.
She added that hard work is ongoing at the UN, including behind the scenes; through the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding humanitarian corridors; and with the IAEA – to prevent a nuclear disaster.
"This is diplomacy that works," Baerbock is convinced.
In view of the anti-government rallies recently convened by far-right and far-left forces in Germany, she appealed to her compatriots: "Let's not allow the Russian regime to break our greatest strength right now – our unity and solidarity; this is the moment when we have to stand side by side."
The minister dismissed as "more than cynical" the concerns of those residents, who put their utility bills and the lives of people in Ukraine, Africa, etc. on the same scales. Such behavior plays into the hands of the Russian regime, she believes, as it supports the aggressor. Baerbock urged citizens not to become victims of propaganda and to oppose it at all levels – from state leadership to ordinary citizens.
The diplomat recalled that the ongoing war is being fought not only with weapons, not only with the help of gas and oil, but also with the help of lies and false narratives.
Baerbock emphasized the importance of further solidarity not only of influential international organizations, such as the EU, NATO, G7, but also of 141 countries of the world that condemned Russia's aggression. That is why, she noted, it is so important to help those countries that need it the most cope with the challenges caused by the Russian war in Ukraine. It is extremely important for Germany to be a reliable partner for vulnerable partners right now, including in terms of financial support, the minister emphasized.
The Bundestag is discussing at first reading the draft budget of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 2023, which will be cut significantly. The 2023 project foresees costs of EUR 6.4 billion, which means a decrease compared to 2022 (EUR 7.11 billion). Less money is planned to be spent, in particular, on peacekeeping efforts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be able to spend EUR 3.43 billion to ensure peace and stability worldwide. For 2022, EUR 4.07 billion euros were allocated to this end.
It is also planned to reduce humanitarian aid and crisis prevention funding: from EUR 3 billion to EUR 2.52 billion. The budget lies down EUR 147.62 million for bilateral cooperation and support of foreign relations (in 2022 it was EUR 164.96 million). Another EUR 972.6 million is provided for the support of cultural ties abroad, compared to EUR 1.03 billion allocated for 2022.
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