Weapons to Ukraine: “A very bad signal for German-Russian relations”

Created: 02/10/2022Updated: 02/10/2022 07:20

By: Nail Akkoyun, Marvin Ziegele

Russia is massing troops and war equipment in Belarus.

Meanwhile, the Russian ambassador is warning of Ukraine's rearmament.

• Russia * warns Germany against arms deliveries to Ukraine.

• French* President Macron wants to settle the Ukraine conflict with Vladimir Putin*.

• Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock* (Greens*) visited the frontline region in Donbass.

  All information in our news ticker.

Update from Thursday, February 10th, 2022, 7 a.m

.: Russia's ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev, has confirmed that his country has no interest in a military conflict with Ukraine.

"We don't want this conflict to break out under any circumstances," Nechayev told the newspapers of the editorial network Germany.

At the same time, he accused NATO of broken promises and warned against a military build-up in Ukraine.

The diplomat warned that if Ukraine were pumped full of weapons, troops and special units from abroad, this could also lead to provocations.

With the appropriate weapon systems, the approach time to vital Russian centers is only five to seven minutes.

"It's very dangerous," Nechayev said.

Ukraine conflict: Russian ambassador warns of German arms deliveries

The ambassador also warned against further arms deliveries from the West to Ukraine.

“We find arms deliveries to Ukraine absolutely counterproductive.

This is not conducive to peaceful conflict resolution," Nechayev told RND.

The weapons could provoke "nationalist and extremist forces in Ukraine into uncontrolled actions" that could trigger another crisis.

When asked whether he thinks it is right that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has so far not given in to the pressure of NATO partners to supply arms to Ukraine, Nechayev replied: "That would be a very bad signal for German-Russian relations." , stressed the ambassador.

Ukraine conflict: Scholz wants to increase pressure on Putin

+++ 3.45 p.m .:

Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to de-escalate the Ukraine conflict during his visit to Moscow next week.

"What I say there will work out like what President Macron said earlier this week," said Scholz at a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday in Berlin.

Ukraine conflict: Russia prepares military exercises in Belarus © John Macdoughall/AFP

Macron had negotiated with Putin for several hours in Moscow on Monday.

According to Macron, Putin promised that there would be "neither a deterioration nor an escalation" in the Ukraine conflict.

Scholz again emphasized the willingness to engage in dialogue with Russia, but also the "serious consequences" for Moscow in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A political solution to the conflict is being sought in various discussion formats such as the NATO-Russia Council or the Normandy format.

"On the other hand, we have to prepare ourselves intensively so that we can act if military aggression does occur," Scholz continued.

Against the background of tensions in the Ukraine conflict, the chancellor will meet Putin in Moscow on February 15.

The day before he travels to the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.

Ukraine conflict: Russia prepares military exercises in Belarus

+++ 2.45 p.m .:

Russia is preparing for ten-day military exercises in Belarus.

According to security experts in Ukraine and the West, Moscow wants to show that the country is serious about the risk of war.

This is reported by the Aljazeera news agency.

Since mid-January, Russia has been assembling armed forces and equipment in Belarus.

About 30,000 soldiers are expected to take part in the exercises.

Two battalions with S-400 surface-to-air missile systems and 12 Su-35 fighter jets were also deployed.

NATO speaks of the largest deployment in Belarus since the Cold War.

Two Russian Su-35 fighter jets in action in Syria.

(Archive image 2016) © Sergei Chirikov/dpa

Ukraine conflict: Russia suddenly sees "positive signals"

+++ 1.45 p.m .:

The European crisis diplomacy to defuse the Ukraine conflict has triggered cautious confidence.

There are "real chances for a diplomatic solution," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kiev on Wednesday.

The Kremlin also spoke of “positive signals”.

Further talks in the Normandy format are planned for Thursday in Berlin with the participation of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also sees signs of a possible de-escalation of the conflict.

The visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Moscow was a "good initiative", said Borrell.

Macron's meeting with Russia's head of state Vladimir Putin on Monday "didn't work miracles".

But as long as people are willing "to sit down at the table and talk, I think there's hope that there won't be a military confrontation."

+++ 12.30 p.m .:

Russia has complained that the West, at the insistence of the United States, is using the controversial Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline as a “means of leverage” in the Ukraine conflict.

"Unfortunately, this is a reflection of the existing realities in Europe and in NATO," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday in Moscow, according to the Interfax news agency.

"It's a political circus that the West is running." The EU and NATO didn't even try to balance their own long-term interests.

At a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, US President Joe Biden made it clear that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would mean the end of the line that had already been completed.

Scholz only promised: "We will act in full agreement on the sanctions." It is still unclear when Nord Stream 2 from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea will go into operation.

Russian troops during their arrival in Belarus.

© Russian Defense Ministry/imago

Regarding the letters from NATO and the US in response to Moscow's demands for security guarantees, Ryabkov said Russia was still examining them.

"We are preparing our response." President Vladimir Putin will make an "appropriate decision".

For example, Moscow wants to prevent further eastward expansion of NATO and Ukraine's inclusion in the military alliance.

NATO and Washington have already rejected key concerns of Russia.

In view of reports of a massive deployment of soldiers on Russian territory near Ukraine, the West has been warning of a possible invasion for weeks.

Moscow denies that. However, it is also considered possible that the Russian side wants to stir up fears in order to persuade NATO to make concessions on demands for security guarantees.

Ryabkov once again criticized arms deliveries from the West to Ukraine.

This is an attempt to put additional political pressure on Russia. 

Ukraine conflict: Lithuania demands Germany's support in the airspace

+++ 10.30 a.m .:

In addition to Ukraine, Lithuania is also demanding military support out of concern for Russian aggression.

Margiris Abukevicius, deputy defense minister, told the daily Welt that his country considers it "absolutely necessary" to strengthen NATO's troop presence in Lithuania - preferably with German support in air defense.

"But it would also be important if Germany and other countries improved our air defense with anti-aircraft missiles or anti-aircraft guns and transferred the appropriate military equipment to Lithuania," said Abukevicius.

On Monday (February 7th, 2022), Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht announced that she would send 350 more soldiers to Lithuania in the coming days to strengthen NATO's eastern flank.

Around 500 German soldiers have been stationed there so far.

“There is a difference between saying you are united and showing it.

We have to credibly deter Russia – now.” That is the only language that Russian President Vladimir Putin understands.

On Thursday (February 10, 2022), Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz will receive Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda as well as the Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and the Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins.

Then the situation in and around Ukraine and Eastern Europe should be discussed further.

Ukraine conflict: Russia sends six warships into the Black Sea

+++ 9.15 a.m .:

Russia has sent six warships on the way from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea, reports the Interfax news agency, citing the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The ships are to hold exercises there.

In January, Russia announced that the Navy plans to conduct a comprehensive series of exercises in early 2022.

Russian warships in the Black Sea.

The Russian Navy has deployed six ships to the region as part of the Ukraine conflict.

© Imago Images

By sending warships to the Black Sea, Russia is once again demonstrating its strength in the looming Ukraine conflict.

The six ships are scheduled to pass the Turkish Strait to the Black Sea on Tuesday (02/08/2022) and Wednesday (02/09/2022), Turkish sources said.

Russia invasion would have "massive consequences" - Baerbock shaken on the Donbass front

Update from Wednesday, February 9th, 2022, 8 a.m.: In

view of the Russian aggression, Ukrainian businessmen are preparing for the worst.

"We had to draw up an emergency plan with answers" to all questions in the event of war, said Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Voloshyn.

But invasion or not, Ukraine's economy is already suffering.

Voloshyn reminds that the state of increased alertness has persisted since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and that society has become used to it to a certain extent.

The mere possibility of an invasion has a severe impact on the Ukrainian economy.

Projects are on hold, investors are withdrawing and creating foreign exchange out of the country.

The Ukrainian central bank lowered its economic outlook for 2022 from 3.8 to 3.4 percent.

There is a risk of long-term economic damage: even if there is ultimately no military escalation, the realization that the risk for business in the region has increased "will continue to weigh on the Ukrainian market for a long time to come," says Lilit Gevorgyan from the analysis company IHS Markit.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy found clear words to warn Washington: "We don't need this panic."

Ukraine conflict: Baerbock shaken at the front – Russian aggression would have “massive consequences”

+++ 7 p.m.:

Federal Foreign Minister Baerbock got an idea of ​​the situation in the contested area during her visit to eastern Ukraine.

"I'm here to get an idea of ​​what it means that we're still at war in the middle of Europe," Baerbock said at the so-called contact line, which divided areas under Ukrainian control from the pro-Russian separatists. separates regions.

It is urgently necessary "that we finally come to a solution to this conflict".

Baerbock called for the implementation of the Minsk Agreement.

She complained about violations of the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and called for compliance with the agreement.

“We will not be able to resolve this aggression militarily from the Russian side.

That's why I'm doing everything to ensure that we move forward step by step at the negotiating table," said the Federal Foreign Minister.

At the same time, the international community must continue to make it clear that any further military aggression by Russia would have “massive consequences” for Moscow.

Annalena Baerbock: "Very depressing pictures"

+++ 15:29:

Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was deeply shocked by the situation in the crisis area in eastern Ukraine.

After visiting the so-called contact line near Mariupol on Tuesday, Baerbock spoke of “very depressing images” and “very depressing feelings”.

"You can feel what happened years ago, that people lost everything they had from one day to the next," said Baerbock.

"Children's toys are still along the way." The place is "a testament to the fact that we are at war in the middle of Europe."

The minister stressed that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia could only be resolved diplomatically.

She is here "to set an example".

It is important that the observer mission of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) can do its work on site.

At the same time, progress must be made, especially in the Normandy format, in which Germany and France mediate between Russia and Ukraine.

 Ukraine conflict: Partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Belarus decided – Kremlin comments

+++ 1.15 p.m .:

From Thursday (February 10th, 2022) Belarus and Russia want to carry out joint military maneuvers near the Ukrainian border.

It is generally assumed that Russia wants to provoke again in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

If war broke out, the Belarusian border could form a new front for an offensive.

According to the Moscow Times, however, Russia has no intention of leaving Russian troops in Belarus after the end of the exercise.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russian soldiers "will return to their permanent locations" because "we are talking about allied exercises and of course this is understood." No one "ever said that Russian troops were on the territory of Belarus will remain.

This was never discussed.”

Ukraine conflict: Major military maneuvers announced - drones and tanks in action

+++ 11.19 a.m .:

Ukraine now wants to carry out its own military maneuvers, as Defense Minister Oleksiy Resnikov announced on television, according to the Reuters news agency.

Such exercises are regular.

The exercise is intended to test drones and anti-tank missiles, among other things.

Heavy equipment such as tanks should also be involved in the exercises.

The military exercise is scheduled to take place in parallel with the Russian-Belarusian maneuvers on February 10-20.

In the midst of the Ukraine conflict, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) again criticized the former Chancellor and his party colleague Gerhard Schröder.

When Scholz was asked during his visit to the US to what extent Schröder was connected to Russia, the Chancellor replied: "I am the Chancellor now.

And Germany's political strategies are the ones you hear from me."

Ukraine conflict: meeting between Baerbock and Zelenskyj canceled

+++ 10.24 a.m .:

The planned meeting between Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has been canceled.

CNN host Jake Tapper tweeted about the canceled meeting, citing an anonymous source.

As a result, the Ukrainian President is said to be unhappy that Annalena Baerbock* did not give a definitive refusal to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the event of a Russian attack.

Ukraine conflict: Putin suddenly willing to compromise after meeting with Macron

First report from Tuesday, February 8th, 2022, 9.44 a.m .:

Moscow/Kiev – French President Emmanuel Macron visited Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The meeting on Monday (02/07/2022) was marked by the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Putin and Macron spoke to each other for more than five hours.

The Russian President was surprisingly willing to compromise.

The Moscow Times reports that he will examine the French president's proposals.

Nevertheless, he continued to accuse the West and the USA* of increasing tensions in the Ukraine conflict.

Ukraine conflict: "We will do everything to find compromises"

Putin thanked French head of state Emmanuel Macron for coming and said: "A number of his ideas, proposals ... are conceivable as a basis for further steps.

We will do everything we can to find compromises that do justice to everyone.” Vladimir Putin left out the details.

On Tuesday (February 8th, 2022) Putin wants to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"President Putin has assured me that he is ready to engage," Macron said, adding, "There is no security for Europeans if there is no security for Russia." Macron's proposals are said to encompass the commitment of both sides not to take any new military measures, to start a new strategic dialogue and to try to revive the peace process in the Ukraine conflict.  

Ukraine conflict: "It can make you nervous"

Macron referred to the tense situation on the Ukrainian border.

"There are 125,000 soldiers stationed there, that can make you nervous," he said, praising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his "calmness."

Putin again accused Ukraine of not respecting the Minsk Agreement and for its part gathering soldiers in the border area.

As part of the West's efforts to defuse the Ukraine conflict, French head of state Emmanuel Macron traveled from Moscow to Kiev on Tuesday (February 8, 2022).

A meeting with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is planned there.

The French President will travel from Kiev to Berlin on Tuesday (February 8th, 2022), where consultations with Chancellor Olaf Scholz* (SPD*) and Poland's head of state Andrzej Duda on the Ukraine conflict are planned.

For his part, Scholz wants to travel to Moscow and Kiev next week.

According to Western sources, Russia has massed more than 100,000 soldiers on the border with Ukraine, raising fears of an invasion.

(nak/marv with dpa/AFP/rtr)

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