German Foreign Minister Admits That The West is At War With Russia
Jose Nino
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During a debate at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on January 24, 2023, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock proclaimed that the Collective West is effectively at war against Russia. Baerbock’s statements came at a time when there was heated discussions about Germany sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Baerbock stressed the importance of not engaging in infighting with regards to how the Collective West handles the Russo-Ukrainian conflict:
But the most important and the crucial part is that we do it together and that we do not do the blame game in Europe, because we are fighting a war against Russia and not against each other.
In response to Baetbock’s statements, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova declared that Baerbock’s remarks demonstrated how the West was already predisposed to going to war with Russia from the jump. In a statement she posted on Telegram on January 25, Zakharova stated that Baerbock’s comments about sending more tanks to Ukraine indicated the West’s desire for war against Russia. She also cited recent statements by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel as further proof of the West’s bellicose intentions:
“If we add this to Merkel’s revelations that they were strengthening Ukraine and did not count on the Minsk agreements, then we are talking about a war against Russia that was planned in advance. Don’t say later that we didn’t warn you.”
For those with short-term memory, back in December 2022, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who served as a mediator during the Minsk agreement discussions, said during an interview with the German media outlet Die Zeit that the Minsk agreements were part of a larger strategy to give Ukraine more time to reconstitute and arm itself following the Euromaidan crisis of 2014. She stated that it was abundantly clear to all astute political observers that the Russo-Ukrainian conflict was frozen and the problem was not fully settled. Meanwhile, this pause would give Ukraine the time needed to get back on its feet and confront Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin later expressed his surprise and disappointment with Merkel’s revelations regarding the Minsk agreements.
Former French President Francois Hollande, who was also involved in negotiating the Minsk accords in 2015, echoed Merkel’s comments that these agreements were needed to give Ukraine breathing room and guarantee that the Ukrainian army would be ready for a future clash with Russia.
Overall, the West has not been negotiating in good faith throughout this crisis. The damage has already been done. The best course of action the US can take here is to stop economic and military aid to Ukraine and turn the conflict resolution over to Russia and Ukraine, along with other concerned European parties.
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