Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday, Feb 2, ruled out any German supply of weapons to Ukraine, but emphasized that Europe must “stay united against Russian aggression.”
“As long as Russia violates international law with its occupation of Crimea and actions in eastern Ukraine, sanctions against Russia must remain in place,” Merkel said during her visit to Hungary, according to the New York Times.
Even if the Obama administration should decide to provide defensive and even some lethal weapons to Ukraine, as it is reportedly considering, Germany will not follow suit, she said at a news conference, adding: “I am convinced that this conflict cannot be solved militarily.”
“What Russia is visiting upon Ukraine is a violation of our European system of peace and security,” she said during a lively question-and-answer session with students. Moscow’s desire to keep Ukraine from pursuing its individual course, she said, illustrated “the old pattern of thought that neighboring states are spheres of influence, and not partners.”
During her visit, the White House announced that Merkel was expected fly to Washington to meet with President Obama. The White House said the agenda would include Ukraine, Russia, counterterrorism, the extremist group the Islamic State, Afghanistan and Iran, as well as economic growth, international trade, climate change and Germany’s plans for hosting the Group of 7 summit meeting in June.
