Secretary of State Baerbock currently sees no chance of negotiation in the Ukraine war. He is now commenting again on the G20 scandal with Foreign Minister Putin Lavrov.
Munich – In the Ukrainian conflict, fighting between the troops of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin and the Ukrainian military continues. Russian troops mainly targeted the Donetsk region, while Ukrainian forces said they had launched a counter-offensive in Cherson. This map shows where the Ukrainian war is raging.
Negotiations to end the war were nowhere to be seen. The scandal by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Bali, Indonesia, further dampened already low expectations. Lavrov left the room before the speech ended – apparently in connection with a speech by Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Green). He has now revealed what he really hoped for at the meeting in Bali.
Baerbock on Lavrov’s G20 scandal: That’s what he expects from a meeting with Putin’s foreign minister
The Foreign Minister’s speech was only a response to Lavrov’s harsh statements and accusations against the West. In Bali, he described the sanctions as a “declaration of war” and also stated that there was nothing to discuss with the West in the current situation. However, Baerbock seems to envision the exchange with his Russian counterpart very differently.
“I also want to be able to simply say at the G20 meeting in Bali: ‘Come on Sergey, let’s negotiate peace’,” the Federal Foreign Minister said in an interview with the magazine. star. He met with top Kremlin diplomats immediately before the invasion on February 24. Until the end, repeated attempts were made to persuade Russia to hold talks with Ukraine, Baerbock said.
With regard to possible negotiations with Lavrov’s participation, however, he is convinced: “It is clear that he has no mandate for this at all.” The Russian Foreign Minister would not even listen to his response to his speech. According to Baerbock, Lavrov left the hall before the speech. In addition, the Federal Foreign Minister doubted the power of Russia’s top diplomat. “Putin reigns in very small circles. It is questionable what role the Russian foreign minister will play in this,” he told the newspaper star.
Baerbock denies a “haunting” strategy against Russia – but doesn’t want to be “naive”.
Even before the summit, it was clear that the meeting with the Russian foreign minister in Bali would not be a friendly one. The chill of the foreign ministers of the West and Lavrov really made himself felt on the ground. Baerbock denies that “ghosting” is a new strategy against Russia.
At the same time, however, he stressed: “But we weren’t naive – and I’m not doing my part for the Russian propaganda show. And there’s nothing more to look forward to.” The “Russian regime” wants to display normalcy, as if its war had nothing to do with the food and energy crisis, Baerbock said.
In Bali too, Western foreign ministers may aim to counter the normality the Kremlin strives for. After all, Germany was convinced that a return to its original relations with Moscow was highly unlikely. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) emphasized after the G7 summit in Elmau: “There is no turning back in relation to Russia.”
Baerbock sees little hope for negotiations in Ukraine war – but remains ‘upbeat’
In an interview with star Baerbock was not entirely hopeful for successful negotiations. Germany, France, India and Turkey are talking to the Kremlin chief. But the message is the same each time: the attacks will continue until Ukraine complies with its terms.
In this context, Baerbock also talks about the corridor of humanity. In fact, it is difficult to clarify the details of the escape corridor for civilians, for example from Mariupol. In addition, several evacuation routes were also bombed.
Despite the largely hopeless situation, Baerbock doesn’t want to give up his hopes of ending the Ukraine war through negotiations – he remains optimistic, “even if the world situation sometimes leaves you in despair”. (bb)
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