“Help build Russia’s power”
Ukrainian foreign minister makes serious accusations once morest Germany
03/14/2022, 00:14
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is demanding that the German government do a lot to stop Moscow. He justifies this by saying that Germany “helped to build up the current power of Russia”. He also criticizes Germany’s behavior when it comes to sanctions.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has leveled serious allegations once morest Germany for its longstanding policy on Russia. “I’m sorry to say that you actually helped to build the current power of Russia,” said Kuleba on the ARD talk show “Anne Will”. “And we hope that you too will do a great deal to stop the Russian war machine.”
Germany and Ukraine are partner countries, said Kuleba. But he hopes for three things from Germany. First, his country needs all the weapons it needs to defend itself. “I don’t think it’s fair that Germany has had large-scale defense cooperation with Russia over the past few years.” Kuleba commented: “So maybe now is the time that we get everything we need to defend ourselves.”
Second, Kuleba called for tougher punitive measures once morest Russia. He wanted to commend Germany for some difficult decisions in the first days of the war. When he hears from his colleagues in the European Union why, for example, a Russian bank has not yet been disconnected from the Swift banking communication system or why certain sanctions have not yet been introduced, he always hears the same answer.
Waiting because of Germany
“They always say: That’s because of Germany.” He explained: “I would like to see Germany in a leading position with regard to sanctions.” In some cases, the US was also willing to go further, and Germany said: “Wait a minute, we have to be a little more careful, we have to wait and see.”
Thirdly, Ukraine should become a member of the European Union, said Kuleba. This will not be possible in the blink of an eye. “But we expect that the German government will also support this decision, because Ukraine is part of Europe and Europe will be safer with Ukraine.”
He understands that a change of policy in Germany is not easy. For years we have relied on dialogue. “But now we see the true face of Russia.” Kuleba said, “We are paying the price now. Our children are being killed, our cities have been razed to the ground. That means you should admit you made a mistake and correct that mistake.” He appealed: “Stop (Russia’s President Vladimir) Putin, because Ukraine is not his last target. Believe me.”
