Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock sees after four and a half months of war in Ukraine currently no possibility of negotiations with Russia. “What can you negotiate with someone who is not even willing to agree humanitarian corridors with the International Committee of the Red Cross for the escape of civilians?” the Green politician told Stern magazine. The Russian war of aggression against the neighboring country has been going on since the end of February.
Baerbock also pointed Demands for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations withered, as requested by a number of German celebrities in an open letter. “As a Ukrainian, I would find the letter naive, disturbing, arrogant,” she said. “What right would a German foreign minister of all people have to decide on behalf of Ukraine which part of her country she should hand over, how many millions of her citizens have to submit to Russia’s rule?”
With the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had baerbock by his own admission no direct contact since the beginning of the war. She wishes she could say: “Come on, Sergei, let’s negotiate peace.” But she doubts that Lavrov still has a mandate from the Russian leadership. “It is questionable what role the Russian foreign minister will play in this,” said the foreign minister, referring to President Vladimir Putin.
Lavrov and Baerbock were both in Bali last week for a meeting of G20 foreign ministers from leading and emerging economies. Immediately after his speech, however, Lavrov left the courtroom without listening to Baerbock’s reply.