New Coalition in Germany Holds Russia Responsible for Non-Compliance with Minsk Agreements

The new German government, based on the coalition of German Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats, is ready for a constructive dialogue with the Russian Federation but also respects the interests of its partners in Eastern Europe. According to Spiegel, this is stated in the deal on the new governing coalition.

The rhetoric on Russia is peaceful, but it has changed dramatically compared to the previous coalition agreement. Moscow is not called a partner, indicating only that “Russia is an important political player” with which Germany seeks to have “stable relations.”

The document mentions the situation in Donbas only once, as well as the Minsk agreements. This provision belongs to one of the foreign policy blocks dedicated to Russia.

“We demand to immediately stop attempts to destabilise Ukraine, violence in eastern Ukraine, and the illegal annexation of Crimea. The path towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and lifting of appropriate sanctions depends on the full implementation of the Minsk agreements. We are in favour of resolving the frozen conflicts in the region,” the agreement reads.

In fact, the new coalition calls only on Russia to comply with the Minsk agreements, while the Kremlin has consistently avoided this, claiming it is not a “party to the conflict.” Ukraine fulfils its obligations under the Minsk agreements.

The coalition deal also contains a provision pointing out the readiness to support Ukraine’s European integration movement.

“We will work together with the EU and its Member States to further develop the Eastern Partnership. Countries such as Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, which aspire to EU membership, should be able to move closer (to this) through successive reforms in the area of the rule of law and market economy,” the document reads.

In addition, it is noted that the new German government will continue to assist Ukraine in restoring full territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba noted that Ukraine does not expect a radical change in relations between Kyiv and Berlin after the start of cooperation with the new German government led by Olaf Scholz. However, Kyiv hopes for a constructive dialogue on Nord Stream 2 and possible German military assistance to Ukraine.

Bohdan Marusyak