UA
FR
DEMinister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba held talks with German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock, who is visiting Ukraine for the second time.
The chief diplomats of Ukraine and Germany discussed in detail the steps to intensify the political and diplomatic settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict.
The minister praised the intentions of his German counterpart to visit the contact line to see for herself the consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine.
Kuleba thanked Baerbock for Germany’s efforts to prepare a meeting of political advisers to the Normandy format leaders in Berlin this week. According to the minister, one of the key issues to be discussed by the advisers will be unlocking the Trilateral Contact Group activities on part of Russia.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine restated Ukraine’s “red lines” within the framework of political settlement: Ukraine will not make any concessions on issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders; will not have any “direct dialogue” with the Russian occupation administrations in Donetsk and Luhansk; and will not allow anyone but the Ukrainian people to determine Ukraine’s foreign policy.
The parties paid special attention to the implementation of a comprehensive package of deterring Russia from a new wave of aggression against Ukraine, including the imposition of strong economic sanctions against Russia. Baerbock confirmed that Berlin was ready for the price of sanctions for Germany itself: “We are ready to bear the high economic price because it is about Ukraine’s security.”
The ministers also discussed the possibilities of strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities on the part of Germany.
Ukraine and Germany agreed to continue work within the framework of the Crimean Platform. Kuleba invited the German parliamentary delegation to take part in its parliamentary summit in August.
Natalia Tolub
