Russia’s Putin stalling on Ukraine talks, German FM says in Kyiv

KYIV - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of stalling talks to halt the fighting in Ukraine, during a visit to Kyiv on April 1.

“He is manoeuvring his way out of negotiations, continuing his illegal war of aggression and escalating with brutal, threatening attacks on houses,” Ms Baerbock said, at a press conference with her Ukrainian counterpart.

“Putin cannot be trusted in this situation,” she said.

“There will only be a real and lasting peace when the Russian president realises that he cannot win this war, that his destruction is not successful.”

On March 11, Ukraine, whose army is struggling on the front line, agreed with the United States a plan for

a 30-day ceasefire

with Russia.

But the Russian leader has rejected the US proposal and

upped his rhetoric

on Moscow wanting to install new leadership in Ukraine.

Ms Baerbock was visiting Kyiv for the first time since the re-election of US President Donald Trump, who has upended US-Europe relations by reaching out to Russia over European heads to seek an end to the conflict.

The shift in policy has sparked concern over the future of the Nato alliance and prompted Europe to focus on boosting its own defence capabilities and increasing its support for Ukraine.

Kyiv has come under mounting pressure to agree to

a natural resources deal with Washington

that would give the US access to rare Ukrainian minerals in return for further support.

“It is also important to emphasise that this agreement, on which we have started negotiations, cannot in any way contradict our European integration path, our integration into the European Union,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said.

Germany in March approved €3 billion (S$4.3 billion) in new military aid for Ukraine after adopting

a major new spending package

that eased its traditionally strict debt rules. AFP