Putin, Scholz sit down in Moscow for talks on Ukraine, energy
Marina Kortunova
Press TV, Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Moscow to discuss energy, economy and security issues in Europe. The main focus of the talks was around mounting tensions near the Ukrainian border.
The meeting between Vladimir Putin and Olaf Scholz was the first since Scholz's appointment as the German chancellor. During the talks, Putin called Germany one of Russia's main partners. The leaders touched upon the issue of Russia's proposals for security guarantees.
The Russian president stressed that Moscow cannot turn a blind eye to how freely the United States and NATO interpret the principles of the indivisibility of security, noting that the expansion of the North Atlantic Alliance to the East continues, despite the assurances of Western partners.
Putin added the postponement of Ukraine's entry into the bloc will not change anything, and Moscow would like to resolve this issue now. Speaking about the escalation in Ukraine, the Russian leader called what is happening in the Donbass a genocide.
On February 9, Olaf Scholz noted that Germany is ready for dialogue with Russia at all levels and in all possible formats for the sake of a political settlement. At the same time, he stressed that Moscow should not underestimate the cohesion and determination of Germany's NATO allies.
The German chancellor noted that positions of the West and Russia on security guarantees diverge but the issue of Ukraine's membership in NATO is not on the agenda. This is while statements that Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine continue to come from the West, an allegation vehemently denied by Moscow.
Germany, as an important member of NATO, could influence its partners in the bloc, who, judging by their actions, are set up for a conflict with Russia.
Moscow is not satisfied with semitones and ambiguities in matters of security guarantees, their clear fixation is necessary. Only thanks to this it is possible to achieve a defusing of tension, which is in the interests of Germany, located in the center of Europe.
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