Germany slammed for 'mixed signals' over Ukraine crisis
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Germany is under pressure by its Western allies over Berlin's doubtful stance around supporting Ukraine in case of an alleged Russian "invasion" of Kiev.
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The contention between Germany and Western allies is over Berlin's refusal to send weapons to Ukraine.
Germany's new government is facing pressure to get tough on Russia after the head of the German Navy's remarks over the Ukrainian crisis angered Kiev.
After a week of frantic diplomacy that included a visit to Berlin by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government found itself in a hurry to reassure Kiev of its support amid an alleged Russian "invasion" of Ukraine.
Schonbach: Western allegations are "nonsense"
Kay-Achim Schonbach, the head of Germany's Navy, had said the idea that Western allegations about Russia planning to invade Ukraine were "nonsense", adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin deserved respect, in comments at a think-tank meeting in New Delhi on Friday.
Later on Saturday, Schonbach submitted his resignation.
In the same context, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba summoned the German Ambassador and accused Germany of "encouraging" Putin to attack Ukraine.
Earlier, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned of "high costs" should Russia "attack" Ukraine, in an interview with the Sueddeutsche newspaper.
However, he also called for "wisdom" in considering sanctions on Russia and "the consequences they would have for us."
Arming Ukraine would inflame tensions
The contention between Germany and Western allies is over Berlin's refusal to send weapons to Ukraine.
The United States, Britain, and Baltic states have already agreed to send weapons, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.
Scholz's government sees that arming Ukraine would only inflame tensions, but Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba argued that Germany's stance does not match "the current security situation" and urged Berlin to "stop undermining unity" among Kiev's allies.
Nord Stream 2
Another sore point in the Ukraine crisis is the contentious Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which has split the new cabinet in Berlin.
The completed pipeline, currently awaiting German regulatory approval, is set to double Russian gas supplies to Germany.
The previous Merkel-led government always insisted the pipeline was a purely commercial project -- irritating allies who fear the pipeline will give Russia control over European energy.
While Scholz has echoed Merkel's line on the "private sector project," his Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, from the Greens Party, is a known opponent of Nord Stream 2.
But in a sign that Scholz's position may be hardening, he reiterated last week that he stood by a German-US deal not to allow Moscow to use the pipeline as a weapon and that when it comes to sanctions, "everything" is on the table.
