Germany’s head of state, who occupies a largely ceremonial role, called for “just peace” in Ukraine in his Christmas address to the nation released on Sunday.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a pre-recorded televised speech to Germans due to air on Sunday night that peace was “not yet within reach”.
“It must be a just peace that does not reward land grabbing and that does not expose the people of Ukraine to the despotism and violence of the occupying forces.”
Steinmeier, former German foreign minister, added that “until there is peace, it is a humanitarian imperative that we support those who are being attacked and oppressed.”
The German president also told the Germans “we don’t panic and we don’t let ourselves be divided”.
Steinmeier pledged more support for Ukraine, especially in the area of air defence, during a surprise visit to Kiev in October, his first since Russia invaded the country on Feb. 24.
He had originally planned to visit Ukraine in April, but Kiev declined to see him amid unease over his past support for a Western rapprochement with Russia.
Kiev and Berlin later settled their disagreement.
Source: CNN Brasil
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