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Associated Press

Germany’s foreign minister warned Russia on Thursday that it would pay a “high political and economic price” if it makes any militaristic moves against neighbouring Ukraine.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasised the need to coordinate a common European position when dealing with hostile neighbours such as Russia, which has amassed troops near the border with Ukraine.
“The territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine aren’t up for negotiation for us,” Baerbock said in Paris while making her first foreign trip a day after taking office. She added that the highest priority must be to avoid a military escalation.
“Russia would pay a high political and economic price for a renewed breach of Ukraine’s statehood,” Baerbock told reporters during a joint news conference with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affair Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Biden and Putin hold two hours of tense talks amid fears of Ukraine war
“We can only find solutions down the diplomatic route, and we are both ready to become personally deeply engaged [on this matter].”
Asked about a possible diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in China, Baerbock said the issue had been a “big topic” during her meeting in France. The White House and the British and Australian governments have said none of their diplomats will attend the Beijing Games, decisions intended to protest Chinese human rights abuses.
Germany wants to decide how to proceed “in unison with our European friends,” she added.


Le Drian also said a common European stance regarding a diplomatic boycott of the Olympics was needed. The French foreign minister spoke soon after the country’s Education and Sports Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said Paris would not join such a boycott.
“Sports is a world in itself, which must be protected from political interference, otherwise … we can end up by killing the competition,” Blanquer said on French news channel BFM-TV.


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Germany

Germany warns Russia will pay a ‘high economic price’ if it attacks Ukraine

Ukrainian soldiers walk at the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels near Katerinivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine. Photo: AP

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock addresses the media in Brussels on Thursday. Photo: dpa

Joe Biden not planning to send troops to Ukraine but says Vladimir Putin ‘got the message’

US President Joe Biden boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin is shown during his video talks with US President Joe Biden at the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi on Tuesday. Photo: Sputnik via AP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks in Kyiv on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin to talk, but is a Russia-Ukraine war inevitable?

This satellite image released on December 5, 2021, reportedly shows Russian ground forces equipment near Yelnya, Russia. Photo Maxar Technologies

US President Joe Biden, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting in Geneva in June. File photo: TNS

A Ukrainian soldier walks in a trench on the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels near Debaltsevo, Donetsk region, Ukraine. Photo: AP

This satellite image released on December 5, 2021, reportedly shows Russian ground forces equipment at the Pogonovo training area in Russia, on November 26. Photo: Maxar Technologies

News

World

Europe

Russia & Central Asia


Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasised the need to coordinate a common European position when dealing with Moscow
She said the highest priority must be to avoid a military escalation



Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasised the need to coordinate a common European position when dealing with Moscow.


Russia

Ukraine

Diplomacy

Germany warns Russia will pay a ‘high economic price’ if it attacks Ukraine

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasised the need to coordinate a common European position when dealing with Moscow She said the highest priority must be to avoid a military escalation

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasised the need to coordinate a common European position when dealing with Moscow

She said the highest priority must be to avoid a military escalation