During a press conference, the Chancellor and the head of the Kremlin informed the public about the results of their meeting.
(Photo: via REUTERS)
Moscow Russia is ready to discuss confidence-building measures to resolve the Ukraine conflict with NATO and the US. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday after talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in Moscow. Putin said Russia is ready to discuss missile deployment limits and military transparency.
At the same time, he said the US and NATO had rejected Moscow’s demands to exclude Ukraine and other former Soviet republics from joining the military alliance, as well as calls for an end to the stationing of weapons near Russian borders and a withdrawal of NATO forces from Eastern Europe .
Putin said Russia is ready for talks on limiting the deployment of intermediate-range missiles in Europe, transparency in military exercises and other confidence-building measures. At the same time, he underlined that the West must heed the main demands of Russia.
The statement was preceded by a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense about a partial withdrawal of Russian troops after military exercises. Russia did not provide details of the planned partial withdrawal. Russia has always denied planning an invasion of Ukraine.
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Scholz again promised far-reaching consequences if Russia took military action against Ukraine. “In any case, we know what to do then,” he emphasized. “And my impression is that everyone else knows that too.” Regarding the role of Nord Stream 2 in the conflict, Scholz said: “As far as the pipeline itself is concerned, everyone knows what’s going on.”
Scholz: “It is our damned duty to prevent a military escalation”
They have undertaken to ensure that gas transit in Europe works – “via Ukraine, via Belarus and Poland, with Nord Stream 1, overall in accordance with the agreements that we have,” said Scholz. “And we will also take care of that.”
Scholz sees the partial withdrawal of troops as a good sign
Unlike after the meeting with US President Joe Biden, Scholz also pronounced the name of the controversial gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea in Moscow. “As far as Nord Stream 2 is concerned, I don’t want to comment further on the private-sector activities of a former politician,” he said in response to a question about statements by ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder.
Scholz still saw clear scope for negotiations. “The diplomatic possibilities are far from exhausted. The task now is to work resolutely and courageously to resolve this crisis peacefully.”
According to Scholz, the fact that we are now hearing that individual troops are being withdrawn is a good sign. He hopes that another troop withdrawal will follow. “We are ready to talk with all partners and allies in the EU and NATO and with Russia about very specific steps to improve mutual or even better common security.”
All Europeans and NATO are aware that sustainable security cannot be achieved against Russia, but only with Russia. “Everyone is now asked to act courageously and responsibly,” emphasized Scholz. “It is our damned duty and task, as leaders, to prevent an escalation of war in Europe.”
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