| 2015-01-15 |
Steinmeier: The threat of war still exists in Europe |
According to German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier the threat of war in Europe remains as long as there is the conflict in Ukraine.
"The danger posed by this conflict still exists," – announced the Minister in the interview with Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung on January 15.
The minister expressed concern over the possibility of a new escalation of the armed conflict in Ukraine. The Donetsk republic blames Kiev in the truce violation. He noted that the situation could be resolved only if Russia and Ukraine are interested in establishing of the stable truce. "Both parties should understand that there cannot be a military solution of the conflict," – emphasized Steinmeier.
That is why the German government will do all its best to "prevent the recurrence of a new large-scale armed confrontation."
According to Frank-Walter Steinmeier, there could not be a fast progress in resolving the crisis because of a large number of unresolved issues.
"We need to discuss the problems of the demarcation line of the ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy weapons and foreign fighters, the access to humanitarian aid and the exchange of prisoners, while the humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine becomes worse every day because of the winter" – said the minister.
For these reasons the "progress would be achieved only by small steps." It is "an incredibly tangled mess," – concluded the German Foreign Minister.
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