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Markus Soder
Photo: Peter Kneffel / dpa
Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) does not see tougher sanctions against Russia in the Ukraine crisis as expedient.
'Nobody can want a war in Europe.
The territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine under international law must be respected," said the CSU leader in an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung": "But constantly new threats and ever tougher sanctions against Russia alone cannot be the solution."
On the one hand, sanctions have had "hardly any effect" for a long time, said Söder.
On the other hand, new sanctions such as the exclusion of Russia from the Swift financial system would “often harm us just as much”.
It would also affect Germany if the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline remained closed or even all gas supplies from Russia were stopped.
Söder also spoke out against the Eastern European country joining NATO.
“Despite all the justified criticism of Russia, the West will eventually have to answer the key question: Is NATO expansion to include Ukraine planned or not?” said Söder.
"From my point of view, one thing is clear: NATO's eastward expansion to include Ukraine will not be on the agenda for a long time."
According to Söder, Russia is “not an enemy of Europe”
Among other things, Russia's head of state Vladimir Putin had demanded an assurance from NATO that it would refrain from further eastward expansion.
The alliance rejects this.
Despite many diplomatic efforts, a rapprochement is not in sight.
NATO has no military alliance obligation to Ukraine, said Söder.
"It's a matter of clarity and honesty to define a strategy that takes that into account while protecting Ukraine's territorial integrity."
Russia is "a difficult partner, but not an enemy of Europe," said the CSU leader.
One must keep in touch with Moscow.
He "can't imagine" German arms deliveries to the Ukraine.
Söder spoke out in favor of general corona vaccination – and as soon as possible: “The sooner you vaccinate, the less we will be unpleasantly surprised in the second half of the year.” The federal government must now “provide a precise template” for this.
At the same time, however, it should be checked whether the planned partial vaccination requirement in the health and care sector may be postponed, Söder demanded.
Their premature introduction could lead to “losses in nursing capacities”.
»Therefore, one should check a uniform date for everyone.«
According to the Bundestag decision, from March 16, all employees of hospitals, retirement homes and other medical facilities must be vaccinated or have recovered.
There are only exceptions for medical reasons - and there are dissonances between the federal and state governments because of the implementation.
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