LAST UPDATE: 17:48
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday after meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Solz in Moscow that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which is awaiting approval, is a purely commercial project that will boost Europe’s energy security.
Putin also reiterated that Russia is ready to resume gas exports to Europe via Ukraine after 2024, when the current transit agreement expires.
He also said that Russia was ready to continue the dialogue on missiles and other security issues with the West, while at the same time complaining once again that there was no constructive response to the Russian proposals.
The Russian president said a decision had been made to “partially withdraw troops”, adding that “we do not want a war with Europe”.
Stating that “genocide is taking place in the Donbas region,” Putin said that “the majority of Russians support the rebel-held areas of Ukraine (Donetsk and Lugansk)” and that “the problems of Donbas must be resolved.” Explaining that the Russian president said that the solution should be based on the foundations laid in the Minsk peace process.
President Putin also said that Russia had already been informed that Ukraine was not going to join NATO in the near future. He stressed, however, that Moscow does not consider this to be a good enough guarantee as it wants the issue to be resolved today.
Tensions in Europe have risen in recent weeks over fears that Russia could invade neighboring Ukraine, which Moscow has denied is its intention.
Russia said on Tuesday that some of its troops are returning to base after exercises near Ukraine and mocked the West’s repeated warnings of an impending invasion, but NATO, by mouth Jens Stoltenberg said he has not yet seen any evidence of de-escalation.
Russia has not said how many units have been withdrawn or how far, following the build-up of some 130,000 Russian troops in northern, eastern and southern Ukraine, which has caused one of the worst Cold War crises since the Cold War.
The development provoked a restrained response from Ukraine and its Western allies, but provoked a rally in the financial and oil markets. Western military analysts have said it is too early to say for sure what the escalation will be.
Soltz: Diplomatic opportunities have not been exhausted
German Chancellor Olaf Solz, for his part, welcomed the withdrawal of some Russian troops from near Ukraine on Tuesday, adding that diplomatic options to avoid war had not been exhausted.
“Diplomatic opportunities are far from exhausted,” Soltz told a news conference with the Russian president. “The fact that we are hearing now that some troops have been withdrawn is a good sign, we hope that more will follow,” he said.
“It must be possible to find a solution. As difficult and serious as the situation may seem, I refuse to say that it is hopeless,” he said. “We have a situation in which all available options should be used,” Solz said.
In addition, the German Chancellor stressed that he considers that some of the issues that Russia puts on the table are worth discussing.
“It was right that NATO and the European Union responded to Russia’s letters, and although Russia does not agree with the answers, it is a good sign that it recognizes that there are some positive points in it,” Soltz told a news conference. of the two leaders.
“Similarly, NATO, the EU and we do not agree with Russia’s demands, but we believe that there are some points worth discussing,” he said, adding that NATO’s eastward expansion was not on the agenda at the moment.
At the same time, the German Chancellor added that he is committed to ensuring that the transfer of natural gas through Ukraine will continue.
“We are committed to ensuring that gas transit to Europe continues through Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Nord Stream 1, in accordance with existing agreements. We also want to ensure peaceful development in Europe,” Solz said.
Asked about Nord Stream 2, the German chancellor reiterated that although his intention is to ensure that there will be no conflict in Ukraine, if it does happen, there will be consequences.
Olaf Solz described the withdrawal of some Russian troops from the border with Ukraine as a positive sign.
Source: Capital
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