EU and NATO on Saturday morning warned Russia once morest an attack on Ukraine. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the Munich Security Conference that she still hopes that peace will prevail. But Europe already has to answer. “If Russia strikes, we can impose high costs.” Europe has put together a robust sanctions package. Even in the event that Russia suspends gas supplies, the continent is on the safe side. Europe will get through the winter.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said there was still no evidence of a withdrawal of Russian troops from the border with Ukraine. On the contrary, the march will continue. NATO is trying to make military operations more difficult for the Kremlin by being open regarding their information regarding the Russian troop deployment. “We don’t know what will happen, but the risk of war is real,” said Stoltenberg, who was awarded the Ewald von Kleist Prize at the Security Conference in Munich on Saturday. Moscow is trying to turn back history and expand its sphere of influence once more. But it is not too late for Russia to change course. NATO has presented a substantial agenda. Stoltenberg expressed concern that China was now also asking NATO not to accept any more members. He rejected the request.
The indications of an imminent Russian attack had increased at the start of the second day of the security conference. The Ukrainian armed forces reported numerous violations of the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, and several violations were reported in the north of the rebel stronghold of Donetsk, the causes of which initially remained unclear. The rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine announced a general military mobilization on Saturday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj announced that he would fly back to Kiev following his appearance at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday followingnoon. Before that, US Vice President Kamala Harris and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) will appear in Munich.