Merkel: Russia will cause us trouble in the EU Council

This was stated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a discussion at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, talking about Germany’s priorities during its presidency of the EU Council, Handelsblatt reports.

“The basis for this can only be an understanding that international relations are not about the law of the strongest, but about the force of law, – the chancellor said. – Russia has repeatedly violated this canon of values ​​and rules. Russia has created a belt of unresolved conflicts in its immediate vicinity and annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in violation of international law. It supports puppet regimes in parts of eastern Ukraine and attacks Western democracies, including Germany, by hybrid means. Russia will undoubtedly cause us trouble during the presidency in the EU Council”.

Merkel stressed that if there is no progress in the Minsk process, the existing sanctions should also be maintained. On the other hand, the EU presidency provides an opportunity to give new impetus to relations.

Among the priorities of the German presidency, the chancellor also mentioned the topics of Libya, Syria, climate protection, and global health.

Natalia Tolub