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Military operation in Ukraine

Envoy says Germany needs to interact with Russia despite different stances on Ukraine

The German ambassador to Russia Alexander Lambsdorff noted that "the decision under what circumstances talks will begin will be made in Kiev"

BERLIN, December 23. /TASS/. Berlin will have to interact with Moscow despite different stances on the Ukraine issue, German Ambassador to Russia Alexander Lambsdorff said in an interview with RND.

"Russia has been and remains the world’s largest country by area; it has a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and is also the EU’s immediate neighbor. That said, we will have to deal with Russia," he pointed out.

"Our primary goal should be to put an end to Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine as soon as possible and ensure lasting peace based on international law so that Ukrainians don’t suffer any longer," the envoy added.

When speaking about possible peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, the German ambassador noted that "the decision under what circumstances talks will begin will be made in Kiev."

Commenting on the EU’s 12th package of sanctions on Russia, Lambsdorff stressed that "sanctions are not an off button." "You can't introduce sanctions or change the behavior of the party that the restrictions target in an instant. The sanctions are designed to increase the costs related to certain decisions, and it’s proven," he said in response to the question whether it was the right step.

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Ukraine Germany Military operation in Ukraine

Middle East conflict

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