Germany calls on Russia ‘to lift noose from Ukraine’s neck’

BERLIN (AA) - Germany’s reelected president on Sunday called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to back off from military threats against Ukraine and seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

“I appeal to President Putin: Lift the noose from the neck of Ukraine! And work with us to find a way that preserves peace in Europe,” Frank-Walter Steinmeier said after being elected to a second term by the Federal Assembly.

In his acceptance speech, Steinmeier expressed deep concern about reports of an imminent Russian attack on Ukraine, and reiterated Germany’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“We are in the midst of a military conflict, a war in Eastern Europe. Russia is responsible for this,” he said.

“People (in Ukraine) have a right to a life without fear and threats, to sovereignty and to self-rule. No country in the world has the right to destroy it – and we will respond resolutely to anyone who tries this,” he added.

Steinmeier’s remarks came amid escalating tensions between Russia, Ukraine, and the West, as several reports in Western media claimed that Moscow could launch an attack on Ukraine on Wednesday.

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned on Friday that Russian forces were in a position “to be able to mount a major military action,” but Moscow immediately denied these reports, accusing Washington of conducting a “mass disinformation campaign" against Russia.

Moscow recently amassed more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine, prompting fears that the Kremlin could be planning another military offensive against its ex-Soviet neighbor.

Russia has denied it is preparing to invade and accused Western countries of undermining its security through NATO’s expansion towards its borders.

The Kremlin also issued a list of security demands to the West, including a rollback of troop deployments from some ex-Soviet states, and guarantees that Ukraine and Georgia would not join NATO.