Ukraine crisis comes to a head: Biden puts 8,500 soldiers on alert - new talks agreed

Created: 01/25/2022 05:04

By: Astrid Theil, Bedrettin Bölükbasi

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden, President of the USA.

(Montage) © Credit: Pavel BEDNYAKOV/Andrew Harnik/afp/dpa

There is no end in sight to the Ukraine conflict.

The US put 8,500 soldiers on high alert.

The date for a crisis meeting has been set.

The news ticker.

• In the midst of the intensified Ukraine * crisis, a rift is increasingly emerging between Berlin and Kiev.

  Because of the tensions with Russia*, a number of NATO member states are increasing their military presence in Eastern Europe

  (see update from January 24, 11:05 a.m.).

• The United States put 8,500 soldiers on high alert

  (see update from January 24, 9:14 p.m.).

• Russian and Ukrainian representatives meet for crisis talks in Paris on Wednesday (

  see update of January 24, 10:17 p.m.

  ).

• This

  news ticker on the Ukraine conflict

  is continuously updated.

Update from January 24, 10:17 p.m .:

Ukraine and Russia have agreed on new talks.

On Wednesday (January 26), representatives of both countries will meet in Paris.

Germany and France are also part of the game.

The meeting will take place in the so-called Normandy format, reports the German Press Agency, citing Élysée circles.

The content of the meeting is said to be about negotiating humanitarian measures and setting a date on which Ukraine and separatists will discuss a law on the status of Donbass.

It should also be about Ukraine's considerations for the time after the intended reintegration of the breakaway areas in eastern Ukraine.

France and Germany have been mediating between Ukraine and Russia since 2014.

However, the peace plan agreed in Minsk in 2015 is currently on hold.

The last Normandy summit in Paris took place in 2019, but there were also meetings afterwards at the advisory level.

From Paris it is said that they are nevertheless convinced that they have the means to prevent a major crisis in Europe.

France and Germany are endeavoring to hold a new summit at ministerial level as soon as possible.

Ukraine conflict: US prepares for 'range of contingencies'

Update from January 24, 9:10 p.m .:

Joe Biden is increasingly involved in the Ukraine conflict. According to the Department of Defense, the US government has put around 8,500 soldiers in the United States on increased readiness. Ministry spokesman John Kirby emphasized on Monday, however, that a decision on moving these troops to Europe had not yet been made.

The relevant units had been put on increased readiness on the instructions of US President Joe Biden and on the recommendation of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

"As such, they are prepared to respond to a range of contingencies, including supporting the NATO Response Force should it activate," Kirby said.

NATO decides whether to activate this "NATO Response Force" (NRF).

In connection with the increased willingness, Kirby spoke of "reinsurance for our NATO allies".

Kevin Kühnert: "Real danger of war two hours' flight from Berlin"

Update from January 24, 3:20 p.m .:

SPD Secretary General Kevin Kühnert called for more commitment to a peaceful solution to the threat to Ukraine from Russia in dramatic words. "Sometimes I have the impression that not everyone has understood that we are talking about a real danger of war two hours' flight from the federal capital," said Kühnert on Monday in Berlin. It is about preventing a military escalation.

"Every day that people talk to each other is a day on which the conflict does not escalate further," said the SPD general secretary.

He referred to the efforts of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) for new talks in the so-called Normandy format between Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany.

He urged the opposition to be more "committed to seeking talks for peace" than discussions about sanctions.

However, Kühnert also countered statements that the SPD was too friendly to Russia.

Ukraine conflict: Russia wants to deliver gas to Europe even with sanctions

Update from January 24, 3:15 p.m .:

The Kremlin has also rejected fears in Germany that Russia could turn off the gas tap in the event of sanctions.

"Russia has flawlessly fulfilled its contractual obligations in the most difficult moments of the confrontation between East and West," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday in Moscow, according to the Interfax agency.

"Russia has never given any reason to doubt its reliability." Moscow repeatedly emphasizes that even during the Cold War, the gas was always flowing in the confrontation between the Soviet Union and the Federal Republic.

Russia and Ukraine: Kremlin accuses NATO of aggravating the situation

Update from January 24, 1:53 p.m.:

Because of the increase in the military presence of several NATO countries in Eastern Europe

, Russia has accused the military alliance of aggravating the situation. "Tensions are being exacerbated by the announcements and concrete measures by the United States and NATO," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists in Moscow on Monday. Peskov also warned of a "very high" risk of a Ukrainian offensive against pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Because of tensions with Russia over Ukraine, NATO announced on Monday that a number of member states would send additional warplanes and naval vessels to the Baltic Sea and Eastern European countries such as Lithuania and Bulgaria.

Ukraine conflict: EU Commission wants to provide billions in aid

Update from January 24, 1:27 p.m .:

Against the background of tensions with Russia, the EU Commission wants to provide Ukraine with additional billions in aid in the short term. "As always, the EU is supporting Ukraine in this difficult situation," said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Monday. Among other things, the German politician proposed an emergency aid loan package of 1.2 billion euros. We are counting on the Council of EU States and the European Parliament to give the green light for this as soon as possible. According to Von der Leyen, the EU Commission will soon work on longer-term help for the modernization of Ukraine. The authority also wants to increase the amount of grants for the state by 120 million euros this year, almost doubling it.

NATO-Russia crisis over Ukraine: Federal government examines Estonia's application for arms delivery to Kiev

Update from January 24, 1 p.m.:

The federal government is examining a license requested by Estonia for the delivery of weapons to Ukraine.

This is necessary because the howitzers from GDR old stocks were first sold to Finland with conditions and then later given to Estonia from there.

"So far, no decision has been made," said deputy government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann on Monday in Berlin.

"In this case, it's not about German arms deliveries, but about arms deliveries from Estonia," Hoffmann continued. The decision is still pending. The federal government has not changed its stance on arms shipments, and especially the shipment of lethal weapons to Ukraine, Hoffmann said. “It does not authorize the delivery of lethal weapons of war in view of the conflict in Ukraine. And of course she sees that allies have a different position and handle it differently," said the government spokeswoman.

When asked whether Ukraine could count on German weapons in the event of a Russian attack, she said that the German government wanted to prevent precisely such an escalation.

"And in the event that there is a Russian intervention or some kind of incursion into Ukrainian territory, the federal government is preparing a series of measures together with its ally, which we are not going to discuss in detail here," said Hoffman.

Ukraine crisis: Federal Foreign Office waives exit order - but possibility of "voluntary" return

Update from January 24, 12:30 p.m .:

The Federal Foreign Office allows family members of German diplomats in Ukraine to decide to leave the country. A foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday in Berlin that the return trip to Germany could take place on a voluntary basis. However, the Federal Foreign Office avoided an order for embassy staff to leave the country, as issued by the governments of the USA and Great Britain.

The Federal Foreign Office's approach should ensure the safety of those affected - but at the same time also ensure the "workability of our diplomatic representation in Ukraine", said the spokesman.

The option of returning voluntarily also applies to relatives of employees of German organizations such as the Goethe Institute or the Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The costs for the return journey would be borne by the Federal Foreign Office or other employers.

"This is the appropriate step for the well-being of the people for whom we are responsible," said the Foreign Ministry spokesman.

Ukraine crisis: NATO member states take action - increase military presence in Eastern Europe

Update from January 24, 11:05 a.m .:

Because of the tensions with Russia, a number of NATO member states are increasing their military presence in Eastern Europe: The alliance said on Monday that additional combat aircraft and naval ships would be sent to the Baltic Sea and Eastern European countries such as Lithuania. Accordingly, NATO countries such as Denmark and Spain are participating, while the USA and France are considering it, according to the announcement.

Denmark wants to send a frigate to the Baltic Sea and four F-16s to Lithuania, the NATO statement said.

Spain is moving warships in support of the NATO Navy and is also considering stationing fighter jets in Bulgaria.

In addition, France is ready to send troops to Romania, while the Netherlands is deploying two F-35 fighter jets to Bulgaria and has a warship and ground forces ready.

"The United States has also made it clear that it is considering increasing its military presence in the eastern part of the alliance," NATO said.

"I welcome the contribution of allies to NATO in the form of additional forces," the press release quoted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as saying.

The alliance will continue to take "all necessary measures" to defend allies, according to Stoltenberg.

Ukraine crisis: No plans for the return of German citizens - Biden apparently wants to strengthen troops

Update from January 24, 10:55 a.m .:

The Federal Foreign Office is working on contingency plans for embassy employees and other German nationals in Ukraine, but currently sees no reason for extensive return campaigns.

"We have repeatedly evaluated this in recent weeks, also evaluated with our European partners how we could act as quickly as possible," said Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

"But I would like to say very clearly here: That is the subjunctive," she emphasized. "The safety of employees has top priority," said the Greens politician as the employer of the Federal Foreign Office. According to Baerbock, there should therefore be another crisis prevention meeting this Monday with a view to German nationals. Such meetings are regular, she said. Baerbock also warned of the possible consequences of scaremongering. One is in a situation where the Federal Foreign Office and companies continue to work on site, where the focus is above all on supporting Ukraine - including economic support. For this reason, the preparations should not be used to create “uncertainty” with regard to investments in Ukraine.

Baerbock was reluctant to comment on a possible exclusion of Russia from the Swift international payment system should there be an invasion of Ukraine: She was of the opinion that "the hardest stick will not always be the smartest sword in the end".

The EU, together with partners such as the USA, must review financial measures so that they have the greatest impact.

Update from January 24, 10:40 a.m .:

In the Ukraine conflict with Russia, the USA is now apparently also bringing military considerations into play. US President Biden is considering a possible deployment of thousands of soldiers, warships and warplanes to the Baltic States and Eastern Europe, the

reported , citing government officials. In a meeting last Saturday

, the Pentagon is said to have presented several options for US troop movements in the region.

One of these options probably includes sending 1,000 to 5,000 soldiers to Eastern European countries.

According to the plan, the number of deployed troops should also be able to be increased tenfold should the situation with Russia escalate further.

Although US officials did not comment on the specific components of such a troop movement, the

quoted

current and former American military officers as

saying that the military reinforcement would have to include more air defense systems and artillery units

.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden, President of the USA.

© Pavel BEDNYAKOV/Andrew Harnik/afp/dpa

Ukraine crisis: Pipeline operator warns Germans of high prices - Kiev considers US step to diplomats "premature"

Update from January 24, 10:15 a.m .:

The head of the Ukrainian pipeline operator Gas TSO has warned the Germans of rising gas prices if Nord Stream 2 is commissioned. "Germany's biggest mistake is to take the Ukrainian pipeline system for granted," Sergiy Makogon told

newspaper . As soon as Nord Stream 2 is operational, the Ukrainian grid will no longer be needed. The Russian energy company "Gazprom will control all access, and then prices will rise, including for Germany," said Makogon.

The Federal Republic must understand that the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline between Russia and Germany will not deliver additional gas to Europe, but can and will replace the Ukrainian route. "Russia wants to dry up our pipelines," Makogon claimed. Despite the high prices in Europe, the Ukrainian pipelines are currently only being used to 20 percent. Russia sends "as little gas as possible". Gazprom pays for the transit of 110 million cubic meters per day, but only transports 50 million. "It doesn't make sense when gas production in Russia has increased and demand for gas in Europe is very high," the TSO chief said.

Update from January 24, 10:10 a.m.:

Ukraine has described the reduction in US embassy staff in Kiev as “excessive caution” by the US. Although the right of foreign states to ensure the security of their diplomatic missions is respected, such a step by the American side is premature, said the Foreign Ministry in the capital Kiev. The security situation has “not fundamentally changed”. Recently, there had been new serious tensions in the Ukraine conflict. The threat from Russia has been constant since 2014, the Foreign Ministry emphasized. Russian troops near the state border had already deployed in April 2021.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also emphasized that the US State Department's decision does not mean "that all US Embassy employees will now leave Ukraine."

The embassy will continue to be “fully operational”.

“Members of the diplomatic mission were given the opportunity to leave if they so wished.

However, your departure is not mandatory,” the statement said.

Ukraine conflict: Klitschko accuses Germany of "treason" - "Putin understanders have taken control"

Update from January 24, 9.45 a.m .:

Germany's position in the Ukraine conflict continues to receive harsh criticism from the country. Kiev's Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who has previously expressed his disappointment with Germany's attitude*, once again targeted holding on to the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline and the weapons ban on Ukraine. It hurts him to see "how Putin understanders have taken over political control on many issues," Mayor Klitschko wrote in a guest article for

.

The former boxing world champion described the waiver of arms deliveries as "a failure to provide assistance and a betrayal of friends in a dramatic situation". The "incomprehensible statements" by the German naval chief Kay-Achim Schönbach about Russia and Putin showed that other representatives in important positions on Russia are also suffering "from a complete loss of reality", Klitschko also wrote.

He also called for a ban on lobbying for former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder.

"Clear signals are now needed from the most important country in Europe," emphasized Klitschko in his contribution.

“Germany should ensure that lobbyists like former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder are legally banned from continuing to work for the Russian regime.

Those would be sanctions that would really hurt a lot,” he stressed.

Schröder is the head of the Nord Stream supervisory board.

At Nord Stream 2 he is Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Ukraine crisis: USA and Great Britain secure diplomats and relatives - EU is waiting for the time being

Update from January 24, 9:25 a.m .:

The USA reacted to the worsening of the Ukraine conflict by withdrawing the relatives of US diplomats in Kiev. Now Great Britain is following a similar step. Because of the worsening situation, Great Britain is also withdrawing employees from its Kiev embassy. In response to the growing threat from Russia, some employees and relatives would be recalled from the embassy, ​​the Foreign Office said in London.

Unlike the USA or Great Britain, however, the European Union does not want to withdraw its diplomatic personnel from Ukraine for the time being. Before the meeting with the foreign ministers of the 27 member states in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the EU had not yet received any information about the background to the US decision. He is relying on the planned meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken via video conference later in the day. US Secretary of State Blinken is also scheduled to brief his counterparts from European countries on the details of his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in an informal exchange.

The central topic of the Foreign Council in Brussels is the Ukraine conflict.

Borrell emphasized that as long as the diplomatic talks with Moscow continued, there was no reason for the EU to "dramatize".

The Foreign Representative also rejected allegations that Germany was not a reliable partner and that it was too hesitant to impose sanctions on Russia.

"All member states are reliable partners," emphasized the Spanish politician.

There is "unprecedented agreement on the situation in Ukraine" and "no problem with any member state," Borrell said.

Update from January 24, 6:32 a.m

.: The US State Department has ordered relatives of US diplomats in Kiev to leave.

The reason for this is the "persistent threat of a Russian military operation," the ministry said in Washington on Sunday.

"We believe that a Russian invasion (...) can take place at any moment," a high-ranking US official confirmed to journalists, according to dpa.

She warned: "The US would not be able to evacuate US citizens in this case."

The embassy in the Ukrainian capital will remain open.

Other US citizens living in Ukraine should "now consider" leaving Ukraine by commercial flights or other means of transportation, it said.

The number of US citizens in Ukraine was estimated at 10,000 to 15,000 in early December.

There was also a travel warning for Russia.

Washington justified them with possible "harassment, abuse and extortion", including through the "arbitrary application of laws" by the Russian police.

The US State Department reported that US citizens have already been "interrogated and threatened by Russian officials without reason."

The embassy in Moscow can only help them "to a limited extent".

Ukraine reacts violently to Russia information from London - Scholz rejects Putin's demand

Update from January 23, 9:15 p.m

.: Ukraine has announced decisive action against Russian influence and attempts at destabilization. Kiev will continue to "dismantle any oligarchic or political structures" that aim to destabilize Ukraine or "support" Russia," a Ukrainian government adviser told AFP on Sunday.

The British Foreign Office said on Saturday that it had found evidence of a conspiracy by Moscow to install a pro-Russian leadership in Kiev

. The Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed this as "disinformation" and "nonsense". It was "another sign that it is the NATO members led by the Anglo-Saxon nations who are increasing tensions over Ukraine," the ministry said on Twitter.

Update from January 23, 6:20 p.m.:

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected Russian demands for an end to NATO’s eastward expansion. “The accession of other countries from Eastern Europe to NATO is currently not on the agenda at all. What's the point of the Russian demand? There can be no such guarantee," the SPD politician told the

.

Russia is demanding security guarantees and an end to the eastward expansion of the western military alliance NATO, which Russia sees as a threat. The US and its Western allies, for their part, are demanding a withdrawal of Russian troops massed on the Ukrainian border. "Security and cooperation in Europe, as envisaged by the Helsinki Final Act, can only exist if there is no idea of ​​zones of influence in which countries are not allowed to determine their own development," Scholz added in the interview.

Regarding the current situation, he said: "We are in a very serious situation." It cannot be overlooked that one hundred thousand soldiers and a lot of military equipment have been massed by Russia along the border with Ukraine. Scholz spoke of a threat to peace and security in Europe. “The fact that borders are not called into question is one of the achievements of the policy of detente and the agreements after 1990, as is the territorial integrity of the countries. That means we don't force national borders to move just because old books might have different borders. Law and rules must prevail and not military power.”

The chancellor reiterated that "there would be a high cost to Russia if there were military aggression against Ukraine."

When asked what that could be, he said: "In the circle of allies we agree on possible measures.

It's good.

We have to be able to act in case of an emergency.

And that's what we will be.” 

An instructor trains members of the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces, a volunteer military unit of the Armed Forces, in a city park in Kiev.

© Efrem Lukatsky/dpa

Ukraine conflict: "German arrogance"!

Ambassador is clear - USA counteract Russia's military maneuvers

First report from January 23:

Berlin/Kiev/Moscow – The Ukraine conflict is getting worse and, above all, is spreading more and more.

While there was no easing of tension between Ukraine and Russia, talks between the US and Russia were also largely fruitless.

Now Germany is becoming more and more involved in the conflict.

Because in the midst of the tensions in the Ukraine conflict, a rift is now also threatening between Berlin and Kiev.

On the one hand, Kiev was appalled by the statement made by the German Navy chief, Kay-Achim Schönbach, who has since resigned.

During an appearance in India, the vice admiral expressed understanding for Russia's head of state Vladimir Putin.

The Ukrainian ambassador in Germany, Andriy Melnyk, commented on Schönbach's statements unequivocally: "This massively calls into question Germany's international credibility and reliability - not only from the Ukrainian point of view".

He spoke to

the

The tensions between Kiev and Berlin are inconvenient for the federal government, because it actually conveys unity in the Ukraine conflict, which has been going on for eight years.

Kiev disappointed and shocked by Germany's actions in the Ukraine conflict

On the other hand, the federal government's categorical no to arms deliveries to Ukraine has triggered criticism. Ukraine has asked Germany for help on several occasions. Most recently, the Ukrainian government asked for 100,000 helmets and protective vests for "the volunteers who are just signing up for the Landwehr to defend their homeland together with the armed forces," according to the Ukrainian ambassador in Germany. Berlin wants to bring a field hospital to the ex-Soviet republic in February. But there are no weapons, Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht told Die

. "Weapons deliveries would not be helpful at the moment - that is the consensus in the federal government," said Lambrecht.

Mehrere Nato-Staaten, darunter Großbritannien und die baltischen Staaten hatten hingegen zuletzt Waffenlieferungen an die Ukraine bekannt gegeben. Auch die USA hatten am Wochenende einmal mehr ihre Bereitschaft zur Hilfe für die Ukraine dokumentiert. Am Freitag landete ein US-Frachtmaschine auf einem Flughafen der Hauptstadt Kiew mit etwa 90 Tonnen Fracht, darunter Munition „für die Frontverteidigung“, so die Kiewer US-Botschaft. Damit ignorieren die USA den wiederholten Aufruf Putins, Waffenlieferungen in die Ukraine zu unterlassen.

Unterstützung durch andere Nato-Staaten: USA schickt Ukraine Munition

Indes kündigten die USA trotz der Spannungen ein neues Nato-Manöver an. Die Übung im Mittelmeer mit dem Namen „Neptune Strike 22“ soll nach US-Angaben an diesem Montag (24. Januar) beginnen und etwa zwölf Tage dauern. Ein Sprecher des US-Verteidigungsministeriums sagte, das Manöver stehe nicht im Zusammenhang mit Befürchtungen eines russischen Einmarsches in die Ukraine. Russland hatte zuvor verschiedene Seemanöver mit insgesamt 140 Kriegsschiffen in den nächsten Wochen etwa im Mittelmeer, Pazifik und Atlantik angekündigt.

Auch Großbritannien wird immer weiter in den Konflikt verwickelt: Der Ton zwischen London und Moskau wird schärfer. Das Außenministerium in London behauptete am Samstag (22. Januar), Russland wolle eine pro-russische Regierung in der Ukraine etablieren. Als möglicher Kandidat für die Führungsposition wurde von britischer Seite der frühere ukrainische Abgeordnete Jewgenij Murajew genannt. Der von London als potenzieller Moskauer Statthalter genannte Kandidat steht allerdings selbst seit 2018 auf einer russischen Sanktionsliste. Die russische Außenamtssprecherin Maria Sacharowa nannte die britische Darstellung „Unsinn“. 

Ukraine-Konflikt spaltet auch die deutsche Politik

Die internationale Lage und aktuelle Politik der Bundesregierung im Ukraine-Konflikt lässt in der deutschen Politik unterschiedliche Positionen deutlich werden. Vor allem Vertreter der FDP brachten zuletzt eine Abkehr von der restriktiven deutschen Rüstungspolitik ins Spiel und forderten, das Nein zu Waffenlieferungen in die Ukraine zu überdenken. Der bayerische Ministerpräsident Markus Söder (CSU) lehnt deutsche Waffenlieferungen an die Ukraine im Konflikt mit Russland wiederum ab. „Deutsche Waffenlieferungen an die Ukraine kann ich mir nicht vorstellen“, sagte Söder der Frankfurter Allgemeinen Sonntagszeitung.

He also believes that an expansion of NATO to include Ukraine is ruled out in the long term.

The Bavarian Prime Minister sees the Munich Security Conference in February as an opportunity to bring the conflicting parties together again.

Söder summarized that Russia is a difficult partner but not an enemy of Europe.

In the conflict with Ukraine, "constantly new threats and ever tougher sanctions" alone could not be the solution.

Sanctions have had little effect for a long time and often harm Germany itself.