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Federal President Steinmeier: "Western defense aid is not prolonging the war, it is Russia"
Photo: ODD ANDERSEN / AFP
Russia's war against Ukraine has been going on for a year now, and there is no end in sight to the brutal attack.
On the anniversary of the beginning of the war, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that Kiev's resistance should continue to be supported.
"Germany is not at war, but this war concerns us," Steinmeier said in Bellevue Palace.
Ukraine can rely on financial, economic and also military support from Germany.
He can understand that many people in this country want peace as quickly as possible, said Steinmeier.
But nowhere did people long for it as much as in Ukraine.
"A sham peace that only rewards Putin's land grabs and leaves people to the arbitrariness of the occupiers, such a peace will not be peace," said Steinmeier.
The Federal President expressed skepticism about a 12-point paper published by China calling for a ceasefire.
»Any constructive suggestion that brings us closer to a just peace is most welcome.
Whether the world power China wants to play such a constructive role is still questionable,” said Steinmeier.
"If that's the case, then China should not only talk to Moscow, but also to Kiev." Beijing should work for peace under the umbrella of the United Nations.
Steinmeier also referred to a UN resolution from the previous day, in which a large majority of states called on Russia to withdraw from Ukraine.
China abstained from the vote, as did India.
There are doubts about China's neutrality as a mediator because of Beijing's good relations with Moscow.
According to SPIEGEL information, Beijing and Moscow are currently even negotiating the purchase of kamikaze drones, which will be delivered by April and could be used in Ukraine.
Steinmeier said in his speech that it was clear that Putin could end the war immediately: "It is Russia that has brutally attacked its neighboring country and it is Russia that is constantly throwing new troops at the front." Western defense aid is not prolonging it War, it be Russia.
Putin knows exactly what to do if he wants real peace.
Selenskyj turns to Scholz
After Steinmeier's speech, a video message from the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj was also played, in which he addressed the Federal President and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD).
Zelenskyy asked to maintain support for his country.
"We are capable of putting an end to Russian aggression this year," he said.
Nobody will dare any more aggression "if they know that the free world is determined enough to defend freedom".
fek/dpa