Russia (bbabo.net), - Russia doesn't want war, that's why it offered to hold talks to ensure equal security in Europe. Vladimir Putin made this statement after talks with Chancellor F Olaf Scholz. The Russian leader also commented on the appeal of the State Duma regarding the recognition of the independence of the DPR and called what is happening in the Donbass a genocide.
On Tuesday, February 15, Vladimir Putin held talks in the Kremlin with the new Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz. This is the first face-to-face conversation between a Russian president and a German counterpart since he took office. The main topics of discussion, as expected, were security in Europe, NATO expansion, and the situation in Ukraine. The leaders' answers at the joint press conference immediately showed how the sides differ on key issues.
German journalists once again asked Putin if he ruled out the possibility of a war in Europe. "Do we want it or not? Of course not," the Russian president emphasized. "That is why we put forward proposals for a negotiation process, the result of which should be an agreement on ensuring equal security for everyone, including our country," Putin explained.
The President also noted that he already remembered the war in Europe. "Mr. Federal Chancellor just said that people of his generation - I belong to this generation - can hardly imagine any kind of war in Europe," Putin noted and added that this was said in relation to the situation around Ukraine. "But you and I were witnesses of a war in Europe unleashed by the NATO bloc against Yugoslavia," the Russian president pointed out. He recalled that time a major military operation took place with rocket and bomb strikes on one of the European capitals - Belgrade. “It happened. Without the sanction of the United Nations Security Council. This is a very bad example, but it was,” Putin stated.
In turn, the German Chancellor, in his response, pointed out that there was a danger and threat of genocide in Yugoslavia. "Let me just add that what is happening in the Donbass is genocide," the Russian president retorted.
You and I witnessed the war in Europe unleashed by the NATO bloc against Yugoslavia
During the press conference, Putin also commented on the appeal adopted by the State Duma to the head of state on recognizing the independence of the proclaimed DPR and LPR.
"I will proceed from the fact that we must do everything to solve the problems of Donbass, but to do this, first of all, on the basis of the not fully realized opportunities for the implementation of the Minsk agreements. We very much rely on the fact that our partners both overseas and in Europe First of all, F and France will have a corresponding influence on the current authorities in Kiev and this solution will be found," he said.
Putin noted that State Duma deputies, like parliamentarians in any country, are guided by the opinion of their voters, they feel it subtly.
"And this is quite obvious: in our country, the vast majority of people sympathize with the residents of Donbass, support them and hope that the situation there will radically change for the better for them," he said.
Putin also noted that the Kiev authorities refuse to comply with the Minsk agreements and later agreements reached at the Normandy format summits.
"There is no progress on such fundamental issues as constitutional reform, amnesty, local elections, legal aspects of the special status of Donbass," the head of state said. In addition, according to the president, Kiev continues to ignore opportunities to peacefully restore the country's territorial integrity through direct dialogue with Donetsk and Lugansk.
In turn, Scholz expressed his point of view - the recognition by Russia of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics would be a violation of the Minsk agreements.
Putin said that he and the German Chancellor had a very candid exchange of views on the situation around Russia's proposals for security guarantees. "Russia cannot turn a blind eye to how the United States and the North Atlantic Alliance quite freely and in their favor interpret the key principles of equal and indivisible security, which are enshrined in many pan-European documents," the president said.
Putin stressed that the security assurance responses received by Russia from the US and NATO do not meet the above three basic Russian requirements. We are talking about the non-expansion of NATO, the shift of the military infrastructure of the North Atlantic Alliance to the state of 1997 and the non-deployment of combat strike systems near Russian borders. "Everything, in my opinion, is understandable, clear," the Russian leader emphasized. "We are ready to talk about other issues that are contained in the response we received (USA and NATO. - Note), but in combination with what is of paramount value and paramount importance to us," he said.Russia will seek to negotiate security guarantees through diplomacy, but Moscow will not allow the European security talks to drag out and worsen its position during this process, the Russian leader warned.
In turn, Scholz said that NATO and the EU do not agree with the Russian security proposals, but there are points that can be discussed. At the same time, the German Chancellor stressed that security in Europe is possible not in spite of, but only together with Russia.
"Let's discuss these things as part of a dialogue. We must not reach a dead end that will cost us trouble," he said.
The German chancellor said that NATO expansion is not planned and this issue is not being discussed. "He's not on the agenda. Everyone knows that," Scholz said. Putin did not agree with such arguments. “Regarding the expansion of NATO. You said a wonderful phrase: “They say that in the coming years Ukraine will not be in NATO.” What does “they say” mean? You and I must understand what “they say” in interstate relations. For years they have been saying that there will be no NATO expansion at all, not a single inch towards the Russian borders. And today we see the NATO infrastructure right at our house," the Russian President said. He also stressed that the issue of Ukraine's non-accession to NATO should be resolved in the near future by peaceful means.
“We hear that Ukraine is not ready today to join NATO. We know this thesis. And they immediately say that they won’t accept it tomorrow. we want to resolve this issue now, right now, in the near future during the negotiation process by peaceful means," the Russian leader explained the position.
Putin was also asked if Russia would continue to withdraw troops from the Ukrainian border. The President replied that Russia would act according to a plan depending on the real situation.
"Who can answer how this situation will develop? No one yet. It depends not only on us," he stressed.
At a press conference, both leaders were also asked about the fate of the Nord Stream 2 project. Putin said that the project is designed to strengthen energy security in Europe and has no political overtones.
"This is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe, designed to significantly strengthen energy security on the continent, contribute to the solution of pan-European economic and environmental problems," he said.
Putin also noted that the issue of starting gas supplies under the Nord Stream 2 project is within the competence of the German regulator. Nord Stream 2 has been ready for commercial operation since December last year, the only question is the German regulator, which must make an appropriate decision on the start of supplies along this route," the president explained.
Separately, Putin also pointed to the role of ex-Chancellor F. Gerhard Schroeder, who at one time supported the construction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
In our country, the vast majority of people sympathize with the people of Donbass, support them and hope that the situation there will radically change for the better for them
"Today, Germany receives 55 billion cubic meters of gas via this route," Putin said. "This gas is supplied under long-term contracts, which at the peak of spot prices in Europe are seven times lower, now they are five times lower," Putin said. Putin also stressed that if Schroeder enters the board of directors of Gazprom, this will be beneficial for cooperation between the Russian Federation and F. In turn, Scholz evaded a direct answer to the question of the possibility of imposing sanctions against Nord Stream 2.
“Everyone knows what is happening. We are obliged to ensure the transit of gas to Europe - through Ukraine, Belarus and Poland, via Nord Stream 1,” he said.
Another important statement was also made: Russia is ready to continue gas supplies through Ukraine after 2024, when the current transit contract expires. "Naturally, if there is a demand for it from European importers and it will be profitable, and the gas transportation system of Ukraine itself will be in good technical condition," Putin explained the conditions.
It should be noted that energy is one of the priority areas in cooperation between the two countries.
"Russia has been a reliable supplier of energy resources for a very long time, decades. There has not been a single failure in the supply of energy resources from Russia over all these decades, everything is done on market principles, and there are absolutely no questions and doubts," the head of state emphasized during the protocol meeting.
In general, Vladimir Putin noted that participants in economic activity in the two countries have known each other for a very long time and their level of trust is high. “Moreover, we have made a decision, and it is to a certain extent unprecedented, that we have allowed German partners to access mining assets. We are working together in organizing transport supplies, and our companies are working in the Federal Republic,” the Russian president said.Meanwhile, despite the global agenda of the talks, during the protocol meeting, Vladimir Putin also spoke about bilateral relations, calling Germany the main trade and economic partner in Europe. “Despite all the difficulties of the pandemic period, the year before last we had a slight adjustment in trade, but last year it grew by more than 36 percent. This, of course, is a good indicator,” the Russian president said. Putin noted that hundreds of German companies operate in Russia and they have invested over $20 billion in the Russian economy. "The Russians, for their part, also invested somewhere a little more than $10 billion - this is also a good contribution to the development of the German economy, maintaining jobs," the Russian president said.
The conversation between the President of Russia and Chancellor F lasted more than three hours. According to Vladimir Putin, it was held in a businesslike atmosphere.
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