Russia’s view of NATO should be taken into account, said Rolf Mützenich, head of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) faction, commenting on the package of requirements prepared by the Russian Foreign Ministry on security guarantees for Russia, which includes, among other things, abandoning plans to join Ukraine to NATO. “Of course, the Russian proposals to the United States and NATO to minimize threats in Europe are written from the position of Moscow. Still, it is worth conducting a thorough check and formulating your own position,” the politician said in an interview with Reuters on Saturday, December 18. “We need to sit down at the negotiating table. We need to draw clear boundaries, but at the same time try to find a way out of the vicious circle of escalation (tension. – Ed.) “, – he added.
Critics of the SPD in Germany often express the opinion that this party is too loyal to the current Russian leadership. Reacting to such statements of opponents, Mutzenich stressed that he and his fellow party members “are not naive and know who they have to deal with when it comes to Russia.” “Still, it is worth having a clear idea of what the other side perceives as a threat to itself, even if you do not share its position,” he said.
Head of the SPD faction on the conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine
According to Rolf Mutzenich, Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to change the status quo in Europe. “In the past, Putin now and then tried to distract from domestic political problems by creating foreign policy tensions,” the social democrat stressed. “Of course, Putin wants to change the status quo. The annexation of Crimea, which runs counter to international law, was a clear signal,” he added.
The purpose of the current military maneuvers of the Russian side, according to Mutzenich, is not clear. “Whether the concentration of troops on the border will lead to an attack on Ukraine, we do not know for sure, but many assume that this is exactly the case,” the politician said.
Continuing the topic of Ukraine, Mutzenich drew attention to its internal political problems. “We rightfully criticize what is happening in the east of this country. But in Ukraine itself there is no progress in terms of reforms,” Mutzenich stated. “There are problems with the independence of justice and the power of the oligarchs. And Ukraine needs changes and reforms. “.
At the same time, the Social Democrat approved the decision of the North Atlantic Alliance to provide Kiev with defensive drones.
See also:
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Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
Checking weapons systems
So far, artillery fire on both sides of the Russian-Ukrainian border is being conducted for testing purposes. According to official figures, the troops are checking the combat readiness of their weapons systems. In a video released by the Russian Defense Ministry, a Russian self-propelled mortar fires.
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Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
West expresses support for Ukraine
The West assures Kiev of its solidarity. In his first telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, US President Joe Biden reaffirmed to Volodymyr Zelenskiy “the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression in Donbas and Crimea.” Representatives of NATO and the EU made similar statements.
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Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
Troops are pulling up to Donbass
In early March, Russia began to strengthen its military presence on the border with Ukraine. Moscow said that in this way it responds to Kiev’s provocations aimed at escalating the conflict in Donbass. According to observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), there were no provocations.
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Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
American destroyers are already in the Black Sea
The US, NATO and the EU have pledged support to Ukraine in protecting its territorial integrity. On April 9, Ankara reported that the United States had already announced at the end of March the passage of two of its warships through the Bosphorus to the Black Sea. The picture shows one of two American destroyers that passed through the strait towards the Black Sea on March 20.
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Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
A war that has been going on for seven years
The conflict in eastern Ukraine erupted in early 2014, when pro-Russian separatists took control of parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. According to the authorities in Kiev and their Western allies, the Kremlin is helping the separatists by supplying illegal weapons and sending mercenaries. Since then, the parties to the conflict have repeatedly agreed on a ceasefire, but these agreements have been constantly violated.
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Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
Bombed and destroyed
This man is standing on the ruins of his house, located on the territory of the self-proclaimed “DPR”. The house was destroyed during the fighting between the separatists and the Ukrainian army. They involve soldiers, mercenaries, separatists and paramilitary units. But the fighting has affected civilians again and again. At the beginning of 2019, according to the UN, about 3,300 civilians were killed in the Donbas.
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Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
Clashes and deaths despite the truce
In total, since 2014, more than 13,000 people have died as a result of the fighting in Donbass. According to the OSCE, the current ceasefire, in effect since July 2020, has been relatively stable. However, shelling has recently become more frequent. In recent days, at least five Ukrainian soldiers and a five-year-old boy have been killed on the territory of the “DPR”. Kiev denies any involvement in his death.
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Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
Zelensky presented awards to Ukrainian soldiers
On April 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Donbass and tried to sort out the situation on the spot. He awarded the Ukrainian soldiers who distinguished themselves in their service at the front. And on April 10, Zelensky will meet with Turkish President Erdogan. Ukrainian media report that Zelensky is also scheduled to meet with French President Macron.
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Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure
In 2019, Russia began to issue citizenship to residents of the “DPR” / “LPR” using a simplified procedure. According to various sources, about 600 thousand people with Russian citizenship now live there. Moscow has already announced that Russia will take all the necessary measures to protect them. A spokeswoman for the US president said the Russian military presence on the border with Ukraine is now the largest since 2014.
By Jan Walter, Kevin Mertens
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