Ukraine-Zoff: USA and England announce sanctions against Russia - "toughest measures ever" imposed

Created: 02/01/2022, 20:18

By: Florian Naumann, Astrid Theil, Bedrettin Bölükbasi

The Ukraine crisis is occupying the UN Security Council - the USA and Russia are in a heated exchange of blows.

Great Britain announces measures.

The news ticker.

• In the Ukraine conflict*, the USA, Great Britain and France now want to send more soldiers to Eastern Europe (

  see the first report from January 30, 12.00 p.m.

  ).

• On Monday, the Ukraine crisis was an issue in the UN Security Council - Russia failed with an objection.

  (

  Update from January 31, 5:15 p.m.

  )

• US government spokeswoman Jen Psaki has defended US warnings, stressing that a Russian invasion could happen "at any moment"

  (updated January 31, 8:35 p.m.).

This news ticker has ended.

You can find new information on the Ukraine conflict in this ticker.

Update from January 31, 10:10 p.m .:

According to presidential spokeswoman Jen Psaki, the Biden administration has prepared a package of sanctions against those close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, which would come into effect in the event of a Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine.

"We have designed specific sanctions packages against Russian elites and their family members," Psaki said in Washington DC on Monday.

"The individuals we have identified belong to or are close to the Kremlin's inner circle and play a role in the government's decision-making process."

Ukraine crisis: Great Britain threatens Putin with sanctions - "will have nowhere to hide"

According to Foreign Minister Liz Truss, Great Britain is also preparing serious sanctions against Moscow.

In London, the government is currently working on a law that should make sanctions possible in the event of a Russian invasion.

The sanctions made possible by the law are “the harshest” penalties ever imposed on Russia.

"Those in and around the Kremlin will have nowhere to hide," Truss said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson travels to Ukraine on Tuesday to meet with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The 53-year-old had also previously planned to have a phone call with Putin.

However, this was postponed due to Parliament's questioning of Johnson in the context of the "Party Gate" affair.

Update from January 31, 8:35 p.m .:

The US government has defended its warnings of an escalation in the Ukraine crisis.

"We think it's important to be open and honest about the threat posed by Russia," White House spokeswoman Jens Psaki said on Monday.

Psaki also described Moscow's efforts to destabilize Ukraine as "dangerous".

"We've been saying for more than a week that Russia could invade at any time," emphasized the 43-year-old.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the US government at the end of last week and accused it of scaremongering.

“Once the White House realizes there are certain risks, they keep talking about them.

In my opinion, this is a mistake because the world is reacting very strongly to it," Zelenskyi said.

Ukraine crisis: exchange of blows between USA and Russia at UN Security Council meeting

Update from January 31, 5:15 p.m .:

A public session of the UN Security Council on the Ukraine crisis has now begun in New York against the determined resistance of Russia.

A request by Moscow to cancel the meeting requested by the US was rejected on Monday - ten of the 15 members of the Security Council voted for the meeting.

The US ambassador accused Russia of planning to increase its troops in Belarus near the Ukrainian border.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vasily Nebensia accused the US of wanting to "foment hysteria" with the public session of the Security Council. With "unfounded allegations" the United States wanted to "deceive the international community," said Nebensia. US colleague Linda Thomas-Greenfield rejected that. The stationing of more than 100,000 Russian soldiers on the border with Ukraine poses a "threat to international security" and justifies a public debate at the UN.

Thomas-Greenfield also accused Moscow of planning a significant increase in troops in Belarus.

Around 5,000 Russian soldiers are currently stationed there.

"We have seen evidence that Russia intends to expand this presence to more than 30,000 troops" by early February, the US ambassador said.

The Russian troops are said to be stationed “less than two hours north of Kiev”.

"This is the largest - hear me loud and clear - mobilization of troops in Europe in decades," said Thomas-Greenfield.

Ukraine crisis: Debate in the UN Security Council - US ambassador speaks of "largest mobilization in decades"

Update from January 31, 4:45 p.m .:

The US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, warned that Russian threats against Ukraine would also endanger all of Europe.

She described Moscow's actions as "aggressive behavior".

The stationing of 100,000 Russian soldiers on the border with Ukraine is the "largest troop mobilization in Europe for decades".

“We strive for the path of peace.

We strive for the path of dialogue.

We don't want any confrontation," emphasized Thomas-Greenfield in the UN Security Council.

However, they will act “decisively, quickly and united” in response to a renewed Russian invasion of Ukraine.

There are already 10,000 Russian troops with heavy weapons in Belarus, and that number is expected to rise to 30,000 in the coming days.

Update from January 31, 4:35 p.m .:

In the UN Security Council, the Russian Ambassador Wassili Nebensya voted on the need for consultations on Ukraine.

According to Nebensia, the meeting was convened on the basis of "unfounded allegations" and the "myth of Russian aggression".

He accused the US of creating "hysteria" on an "extremely sensitive issue".

In fact, at the request of Nebenzja, a vote was held, although 10 countries such as the USA, Great Britain, France, Brazil and Norway spoke out in favor of a debate on the Ukraine conflict.

Only China supported the Russian demand to cancel the debate.

One thing is certain: the discussion about the Ukraine crisis in the UN Security Council is taking place.

Ukraine crisis: Kremlin accuses London of "blatant attack" - Kiev denies offensive actions in the east

Update from January 31, 4:25 p.m .:

The Kremlin sharply condemned the announcement from London about the possible expansion of British sanctions against Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the plans were a "blank attack on the economy."

The British thus "massively fueled the tensions on the European continent".

Peskow called the announcement from London "very worrying, not only for our company".

The British government is also threatening its own companies with the announcement, he said.

With a view to the "international financial structures", the British plans are "cause for serious concern".

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman announced "retaliatory measures" in the event of sanctions being imposed on Russian companies.

Update from January 31, 2:30 p.m .:

Ukraine has rejected Russian warnings of a possible military offensive by Kiev against the breakaway areas in the east of the country as unfounded. "Ukraine is not planning any offensive actions in Donbass, nor is it assembling troops there," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told journalists on Monday. In the event of an offensive by the Ukrainian side, Moscow is again threatening an invasion because many Russian citizens also live in the Donbass.

Kiev and the Ukrainians did not want war, Kuleba said.

At the same time, the 40-year-old emphasized the importance of foreign arms deliveries.

arriving in Ukraine today are tons of new arguments that strengthen Ukraine's negotiating position.

" Strongly criticized Ukraine.

Video: Prepare for emergencies

Ukraine conflict: "Iron consequence" with Russia?

Lindner calls for a clear edge - and praises "great people"

Update from January 31, 12:45 p.m.:

The FDP chairman and Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner wants the federal government to act with "iron consequent" in the event of a new Russian aggression against Ukraine.

“Germany must leave no doubt that we are defending international law.

If the Kremlin violates borders, and by that I mean territorial as well as legal and political borders, then Moscow must be aware that we are ready for iron consequences," Lindner told TV station Welt.

At the same time, Lindner also said: "I'm very much in favor of us finding our way back to cooperation with Russia, the great Russian people with their tradition deserve respect, but their leaders, the leaders of the Russian people, must adhere to the house rules in Europe." Lindner did not commit himself to the question of possible arms deliveries.

The magazine

Lindner said he saw no special way for Germany to deal with arms deliveries to Ukraine. Earlier, Germany refused to allow Estonia to supply GDR howitzers to the Ukrainian army. The FDP politician said: "With old howitzers from the NVA stock, which would have no military value against a highly modern army, we will not get any further politically." A German special path should not and will not exist. "If you ask the FDP chairman, then he is in favor of us taking a common position in Europe and NATO on all issues," emphasized Lindner here too. “The priority must be diplomacy. The goal must be peace, stability and maybe one day cooperation again," said the minister. But there should also be no doubt about the determination to “defend our values”.

Ukraine crisis: Russia completes maneuvers in the south - CDU politician Otte criticizes the federal government

Update from January 31, 12:00 p.m .:

According to the Ministry of Defense in Moscow, more than 6,000 soldiers have returned to their bases after military exercises in southern Russia.

Associations of the aviation forces of the southern military district were involved in the exercises, as the authority announced.

The combat readiness of the troops was therefore checked in the Russian regions of Rostov and Volgograd.

In addition, 20 warships of the Black Sea Fleet have returned to naval bases in Novorossiysk and on the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.

Update from January 31, 11:55 a.m .:

The Deputy Chairman of the Defense Committee in the German Bundestag, Henning Otte (CDU), has criticized the Federal Government’s position in the Ukraine conflict as “hesitating and hesitant”.

This not only applies to the provision of 5,000 helmets for Ukrainian soldiers, but also to Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht's initiative to send a field hospital.

"That's almost sarcasm.

Because it is precisely about not allowing a military conflict to start,” said the CDU politician in the phoenix interview.

Otte expects Chancellor Scholz to take over the leadership: “The SPD has a conflict between the parliamentary group, the party and the government. Olaf Scholz must take the reins here and not the party.” The new federal government is obliged to act “together within Europe, in NATO, with our allies,” said Otte and called for unity. Otte considers arms deliveries to Ukraine to be a possible option "if this appears necessary within NATO and the European Union". For the defense politician, however, the stationing of soldiers in eastern Ukraine under a UN mandate is not a suitable means of preventing a military conflict.

It is about providing moral support to the government and the people of Ukraine, but also strengthening them with equipment if necessary.

"It's not about sending combat troops," says Otte.

The CDU MP called for the security dyke on the Eastern European NATO border to be strengthened "through a forward presence, as we are doing in the Baltic States with England and Canada, together with the USA, in Poland".

He also welcomed France's willingness to send troops to Romania.

"Russia must know that this pincer operation on the Russian border as well as in Belarus poses a serious threat to Ukraine," emphasized Otte.

It shouldn't cross borders anymore.

Ukraine crisis: Johnson warns Putin against invasion - Canada withdraws diplomatic staff in Kiev

Update from January 31, 11:50 a.m .:

Before a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson again warned against a Russian attack on Ukraine. "I will tell the President (...) that Russia needs to step back from the brink," Johnson said during a visit to Tilbury. "An invasion of Ukraine, any incursion into Ukraine beyond the territory that Russia seized back in 2014, would be an absolute catastrophe for the world, but above all it would be a catastrophe for Russia," the prime minister said.

Johnson stressed that NATO member Britain supports Ukraine's territorial sovereignty.

The prime minister said he was sure Ukrainians would "fiercely" defend their country.

Johnson announced at the weekend that he would travel to the crisis region.

His exact destination has not yet been named, but the media expect a visit to Ukraine.

In addition, Johnson wants to double the number of British troops in Eastern Europe.

On Monday, the British Foreign Office wanted to announce new sanctions against Russia's "financial and strategic interests".

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has again warned Russian ruler Vladimir Putin against invading Ukraine.

© Carl Recine/afp

Update from January 31, 10:10 a.m .:

In the course of the Ukraine conflict, Canada is now also withdrawing part of the diplomatic staff from the Canadian Embassy in Kiev.

This was announced by the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"As we continue to closely monitor the situation, the safety of Canadians is our top priority," the department said in a press release.

So the decision was made to withdraw “non-essential diplomatic personnel”.

However, the embassy will remain open and support local Canadian citizens.

In addition, Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand said Canadian troops in Ukraine had withdrawn to areas west of the Dnieper River, which runs through the capital, Kiev.

"We will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of our soldiers," stressed Anand during her visit to Kiev.

Around 200 Canadian soldiers are currently in Ukraine for a military training program.

According to the US think tank Institute for War Studies, in the event of a new invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops could advance to the Dnieper River and occupy all areas east of the river, including Kiev.

Ukraine: US wants pressure on Russia in UN Security Council - Senator warns of "mother of all sanctions"

Update from January 31, 9:50 a.m.:

The UN Security Council is meeting today to discuss the Ukraine crisis.

The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the meeting was intended to put pressure on Russia and demand explanations.

"With a united voice, we call on the Russians to provide explanations," said the ambassador on American broadcaster ABC.

Although Moscow's position will be listened to, "we will not be distracted by their propaganda".

Meanwhile, Democratic Senator and President of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez has already called for sanctions against Russia.

"Based on what Russia has done so far, there are actually some sanctions that could be imposed now," emphasized the senator on CNN.

Russia has carried out cyber attacks, false flag operations and attempts to destabilize the Ukrainian government from within, Menendez said.

In the event of another invasion of Ukraine, he warned Moscow of the "mother of all sanctions."

Ukraine crisis: SPD advises on course in the conflict - Russian ambassador rejects allegations of threats

Update from January 31, 9:16 a.m

.: How to proceed in the Ukraine crisis?

The SPD is asking itself this question today.

At the invitation of party leader Lars Klingbeil, leading party politicians are meeting for confidential consultations on the Ukraine crisis.

In an interview for the ZDF program “Berlin direkt” yesterday, Klingbeil spoke of a “routine meeting”.

The main question will be how a war in the middle of Europe can be averted.

In the ARD "Morgenmagazin" on Monday, Klingbeil defended his party's course towards Russia.

"When the chancellor stands up and says all options are on the table should Russia attack Ukraine's territorial integrity, that is clear and unequivocal.

That is a clear announcement against Russia.”

However, the focus must now be on finding a diplomatic solution.

It's about "having as many talks as possible and looking for diplomatic channels" to prevent an escalation, said the SPD leader.

"I don't want us now, through threats, through actions, to get into a situation in which suddenly - perhaps unintentionally - a war situation arises in the middle of Europe."

Klingbeil reacted calmly to the statements made by former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD)*, who had criticized Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and complained of a "saber rattling" in Ukraine.

“It shows how emotional the situation is right now.

It's about the question of how we can avert war in the middle of Europe," said the SPD leader.

Baerbock (Greens) has the “full backing” of the current SPD leadership.

Update from January 30, 9:11 p.m .:

The Russian Ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev, has rejected allegations of a Russian threat at the Ukrainian border.

"We never threatened the people of Ukraine in any way," wrote the diplomat in a guest article for the

on Monday (January 31).

In the dispute over Russia's demand for "security guarantees," Nechayev blamed NATO.

"We weren't moving close to the NATO borders.

It is NATO that is already on our doorstep.

Russia cannot fall back anywhere.

But NATO does.” “The frequent talk about the 'peaceful defense alliance' that stands close to our borders does not convince us,” he stressed.

Ukraine crisis: Scholz' course continues to be criticized - Söder attests "strange picture" in the dispute over arms deliveries

Update from January 30, 8:50 p.m .:

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s course in Ukraine remains under criticism.

On Monday, the SPD wants to hold an internal meeting on the subject - probably also due to several objections from the sidelines, for example from ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder *, who is close to Russia.

Meanwhile, CSU boss Markus Söder complained in an ARD interview * that the traffic light coalition "gives a strange picture".

Dispute over arms deliveries to Ukraine weakens the German position.

However, he was also "very cautious about weapons," admitted Söder.

Update from January 30, 5:50 p.m .:

On Monday (January 31), the UN Security Council dealt with the tensions on the border between Russia and Ukraine for the first time.

The US put the issue on the agenda last week after informal talks with other Council nations and Ukraine.

"It's no longer appropriate to just wait and see what happens," said US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

"Now it needs the Council's full attention." The consultations are to take place publicly from 4 p.m. Central European Time.

Ukraine turn?

NATO boss makes clear announcement about "combat troops" - Russia is also sending new signals

Update from January 30, 5:18 p.m .:

NATO has clearly ruled out a war in Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion.

"We have no plans to deploy NATO combat troops in Ukraine," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the BBC on Sunday.

NATO military trainers are deployed in the ex-Soviet republic, and the alliance is also helping to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities and is supplying military equipment.

However, since Ukraine is not a NATO state, the guarantee of 100 percent security that members can claim does not apply to the country, emphasized Stoltenberg.

"For Ukraine, a partner, we provide support and also send the message that if Russia uses force again, there will be severe economic sanctions." The Ukrainian army is now "much stronger, much larger and much better equipped" than in 2014 , said the NATO Secretary General.

But Stoltenberg also emphasized that there was "no certainty" about Russia's intentions.

However, a significant Russian deployment with many troops and heavy military technology can be observed, which is accompanied by "threatening rhetoric".

“There is a real risk and that is precisely why NATO allies are increasing their support for Ukraine.

Ukraine crisis and Nord Stream 2: Federal Network Agency continues to slow down

Update from January 30, 3 p.m.:

The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which is particularly controversial in connection with the Ukraine crisis, will probably not receive quick approval.

And that although a German subsidiary was founded.

The entry in the commercial register has taken place, "but further steps are missing," said the President of the Federal Network Agency, Jochen Homann, of the

.

When looking at the exams that are still outstanding, “one quickly comes to the conclusion that it will hardly be possible to graduate in the first half of the year”.

The pipeline is highly controversial and caused discussions domestically, within the EU and also in relations with the USA.

In the Ukraine conflict, Germany was accused of it and at the same time it was brought up for debate as an effective means of sanctions against Russia.

The network agency suspended the approval a few weeks ago.

Russia sends new signals in Ukraine crisis: respectful relationship with the USA

Update from January 30, 1:00 p.m .:

In the current tense situation, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov * and Russia’s Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev said.

According to Foreign Minister Lavrov, Russia is striving for respectful relations with the United States, regardless of the conflict in connection with Ukraine.

"We want good, equal and mutually respectful relations with the United States, as with any country in the world," Lavrov said on Russian television on Sunday (January 30).

At the same time, he stressed that Russia "does not want to remain in a situation where our security is violated on a daily basis."

In this context, as he had done many times before, he addressed NATO's line of defence, which had meanwhile "come very close" to Ukraine. Ukraine's NATO membership, feared by Russia, would seriously affect relations between the West and Russia, the Russian foreign minister said. The Kremlin therefore continues to seek “legally binding guarantees” rather than political assurances. Moscow's further course of action now also depends on answers from the member states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said Lavrov. Russia had written to the OSCE countries asking how they intend to ensure that their own security is not strengthened at the expense of the interests of another state.

Russia's Security Council chief: "We don't want war, we don't need it at all"

Meanwhile, Russia's Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev has denied allegations that Russia poses a threat to Ukraine.

"There is currently talk of Russia threatening Ukraine," Patrushev said

in St. Petersburg on Sunday, according to the

"This is a complete absurdity, there is no threat." His assessment of the current situation and Russia's intentions is clear: "We don't want war, we don't need it at all".

The former head of Russia's domestic intelligence agency FSB also accused the West of spreading "self-interested fabrications" about a possible war.

The Russian Foreign Ministry had previously sharply reproached Western media for reporting.

“The hype in Western media about Russian-Ukrainian relations has reached a boiling point.

Or rather: an extreme state of madness,” it said, for example, in a statement.

The relocation of the military to neighboring Belarus is not in preparation for an invasion of Ukraine, but rather preparations for joint maneuvers in February.

Britain awaits Russian response: 'The ball is in Russia's court'

Update vom 30. Januar, 12.30 Uhr: Nachdem Großbritannien die Anzahl britischer Soldaten in Osteuropa verdoppeln will, sieht es nun Russland am Zug. Die britische Außenministerin Liz Truss machte dies in einem Gastbeitrag fpr die Zeitung Sunday Telegraph deutlich: „Es gibt einen Ausweg aus dieser Situation“. Langjährige Verpflichtungen müssten eingehalten und Grenzen respektiert werden. „Das kann nur damit beginnen, dass Russland deeskaliert, seine aggressive Kampagne beendet und sinnvolle Gespräche führt“, schrieb Truss weiter. „Der Ball liegt in Russlands Feld.“ 

Auch das britische Verteidigungsministerium kritisiert den Kreml scharf: „Russlands Verbreitung von Desinformationen spaltet und greift in demokratische Prozesse ein“, schrieb der britische Staatssekretär James Haeppey ebenfalls für die Zeitung Sunday Telegraph. Er wirft Russland unter anderem Cyberattacken in Estland und Polen, einen Putschversuch in Montenegro und Auftragsmorde in Bulgarien vor. Ein solches Verhalten führe zu einem Bedrohungsgefühl seitens der Nato-Staaten. „Deshalb werden wir eher ihre östlichen Grenzen verstärken als uns wie von (Putin) gefordert zurückziehen. Er wird genau das gefördert haben, was er angeblich fürchtet.“

Reaktion auf Russland: Nato-Mitgliedsstaaten zeigen sich geschlossen - außer Deutschland

Erstmeldung vom 30. Januar, 12.00 Uhr: Kiew/Moskau/Berlin - Der Konflikt zwischen der Ukraine und Russland hält weiter an und spaltet die Bündnispartner zunehmend in ihrem Vorgehen. Russland verstärkte zuletzt weiter seine Militärpräsenz in den Grenzgebieten zur Ukraine. Vereinzelte Mitgliedsstaaten der Nato reagieren nun ebenfalls mit einer stärkeren Militärpräsenz in Osteuropa. Es besteht weiterhin die Sorge, Russland könne in die Ukraine einmarschieren.

Die Nato hatte Anfang der Woche eine Verstärkung ihrer Militärpräsenz in Osteuropa angekündigt. US-Präsident Joe Biden sagte am Freitag (28. Januar), dass mehr US-Soldaten in Osteuropa eingesetzt werden sollen. Die USA haben für die Verstärkung der Nato-Präsenz bereits 8500 Soldaten in Alarmbereitschaft versetzt. Nach Informationen der New York Times befassen sich die USA außerdem mit Plänen, russische Banken härter als je zuvor mit Sanktionen zu treffen. Einige der größten Finanzinstitute Russlands könnten mit Sanktionen belegt werden, was bisherige westliche Sanktionen weit übertreffen und die russische Wirtschaft stark schädigen könnte.

Ukraine-Konflikt: USA und Großbritannien entsenden mehr Soldaten nach Osteuropa

Nun will auch Großbritannien angesichts der anhaltenden Spannungen im Ukraine-Konflikt sein militärisches Engagement in Osteuropa ausweiten. Dies teilte die britische Regierung am Samstagabend (29. Januar) mit. Premierminister Boris Johnson plant die Zahl britischer Soldaten in der Region zu verdoppeln und Estland Waffen zur Verteidigung zu liefern. Dies solle „dem Kreml eine deutliche Botschaft senden“, erklärte Johnson.

„Falls Präsident (Wladimir) Putin den Weg des Blutbads und der Zerstörung wählt, bedeutet dies eine Tragödie für Europa. Die Ukraine muss frei in der Wahl ihrer Zukunft sein“, sagte Johnson. Aktuell sind nach offiziellen Angaben bereits mehr als 900 britische Soldaten in Estland stationiert, mehr als 100 in der Ukraine und 150 in Polen. Johnson habe das Militär angewiesen, mit Vorbereitungen für eine Unterstützung der Nato-Verbündeten in Europa zu beginnen.

Deutschland und Frankreich als Vermittler: Nächster Ukraine-Besuch Anfang Februar geplant

In Brüssel sollen die Details dieser Pläne mit der Nato besprochen werden. Auch ein Treffen zwischen Boris Johnson und den Staats- und Regierungschefs der Nato-Mitglieder ist für Anfang Februar geplant. Johnson wolle darüber hinaus in den kommenden Tagen mit Putin telefonieren und in die Region reisen. Auch Frankreich plant die Entsendung mehrerer hundert Soldaten nach Rumänien als Teil eines möglichen Defensiv-Einsatzes an der Nato-Ostflanke, wie Verteidigungsministerin Florence Parly am Samstag (29. Januar) mitteilte. 

Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock* kündigte derweil an, Anfang Februar erneut nach Kiew zu reisen. Diesmal soll sie mit dem französischen Außenminister Jean-Yves Le Drian die Ukraine besuchen. Dieser twitterte, dass der Besuch für den 7. und 8. Februar angesetzt sei. Von deutscher Seite wurde bisher kein genauen Zeitpunkt bekannt gegeben. Deutschland hofft, in dem Konflikt gemeinsam mit Frankreich vermitteln zu können und diesen damit zu entschärfen.

Deutschland in der Kritik: Keine Waffen für die Ukraine

Im Gegensatz zu Bündnispartnern wie die USA und Großbritannien hatte die Bundesregierung der Lieferung von Waffen an die Ukraine eine klare Absage erteilt. Diese Entscheidung wird von der Ukraine und anderen Ländern wie Polen oder den baltischen Staaten scharf kritisiert. Auch in der deutschen Politik gibt es Kritik am Vorgehen des Bundesregierung.

So fordert der frühere Außenminister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) im Zusammenhang der Frage von Waffenlieferungen an die Ukraine eine „Diskussion ohne Tabus“. Der ehemalige Außenminister kritisierte in einem Interview mit der Bild am Sonntag das Auftreten der gesamten EU im Ukraine-Konflikt scharf. „Derzeit überlassen wir die Preisschilder für Krieg in Europa den Amerikanern. Ich finde das beschämend“, sagte der Vorsitzende der Atlantik-Brücke. 

„Wir sind uneinig in der Beurteilung der Situation in der Ukraine, haben Angst um unsere Wirtschaftsinteressen und sind froh, dass andere für uns die heißen Kartoffeln aus dem Feuer holen. Wir Europäer müssen lernen, unsere Interessen selbst in die Hand zu nehmen.“ Seiner Auffassung nach müssen Frankreich und Deutschland nun ihre Führungsrolle wahrnehmen und im Falle eines Einmarschs Russlands in die Ukraine sollte die Gaspipeline Nord Stream 2 sofort gestoppt werden.

Sicherheitsexperte Ischinger: Deutschland „in einem miesen, schlechten Licht“

Auch der Sicherheitsexperte Wolfgang Ischinger kritisiert das Vorgehen der Bundesregierung in der Krise und beklagt einen internationalen Ansehensverlust Deutschlands. „Ungeschicklichkeiten“ im Umgang mit der umstrittenen Gaspipeline Nord Stream 2 und der Frage der Waffenlieferungen an die Ukraine hätten dazu geführt, dass Deutschland nun in den USA und bei anderen Bündnispartnern „in einem miesen, schlechten Licht“ dastehe, sagt der Leiter der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz in einem Interview der Deutschen Presse-Agentur. Die Haltung er Bundesregierung spiele Russland* in die Hände und dabei verliere Deutschland bei einer ganzen Reihe von Partnern Vertrauen oder riskiere es gerade zu verlieren. Schlechte Kommunikationspolitik der Bundesregierung habe dies begünstigt. (at/dpa/AFP) *Merkur.de ist ein Angebot von IPPEN.MEDIA.