While European Foreign Ministers are meeting Monday January 24 in Brussels on the subject of Russian-Ukrainian tensions, France pleaded on Sunday January 23 for a direct dialogue between the European Union and Russia. Berlin was under pressure from the West to reaffirm its firmness vis-à-vis Moscow, after embarrassing dissonance in its coalition and its refusal to deliver arms to Kiev.
It is necessary that ” we have as a European Union (…) proposals, an organized dialogue, regular with Russia, while being firm “Explained Sunday the French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune in front of several media.
According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin favors dialogue with the United States because it ” recalls the times of the Cold War and the clash of the superpowers » and also potentially allows him to « to divide ” Europeans. ” What we have to do is stay united as Westerners, be present as Europeans. Is the European Union doing enough ? Probably not today “, estimated the Secretary of State.
Before the meeting on Monday January 24, President Emmanuel Macron had already called on Wednesday before the European deputies for a dialogue between the EU and Russia on ” a new security order in Europe “, not without worrying the Anglo-Saxon observers, who fear divisions within NATO. ” We must build it between Europeans, then share it with our allies within the framework of NATO, then then propose it to Russia for negotiation. “, he had launched.
Clément Beaune also judged ” unreasonable » to talk about « sounds of boots Russians in Ukraine while the diplomatic channel has not been exhausted.
In the immediate future, Paris and Berlin are trying to ” reactivate their mediation between Russia and Ukraine within the so-called Normandy “, underlined Clément Beaune, evoking, without further details, ” initiatives » and a new interview between Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Poutine in « the coming days “.
Berlin under pressure to be tough on Moscow
But the German government was under pressure to reaffirm its firmness vis-à-vis Russia, after embarrassing dissonances in its coalition and the statements of a high-ranking German who outraged Kiev.
By calling it ” ineptitude » the idea that Russia could invade Ukraine and believing that Russian President Vladimir Putin « probably deserves respect, the head of the German navy sparked an uproar.
Despite his forced resignation on Saturday evening, Kiev’s irritation is high. It is also powered by Germany’s persistent refusal to deliver arms to Ukraine.
For Kiev, this position is likely to to encourage Vladimir Putin in his supposed intention to attack Ukraine.
Anxious to display a united front with his allies against Moscow, the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken assured Sunday that he had ” no doubt on Germany’s determination in the face of Russia. He had met Olaf Scholz last week.
Pope Francis calls for peace in Ukraine
As tensions rise, Pope Francis makes a new call for peace for Ukraine. At the end of the Sunday Angelus prayer recited in St. Peter’s Square, the Bishop of Rome expressed his concern at the deterioration of the conflict on Sunday.
With our correspondent, Eric Senanque
It was with a deep voice that the sovereign pontiff addressed the explosive climate in eastern Ukraine, tensions with Russia are a dangerous spiral, according to Francis: “ I follow with concern the rise of tensions which risk dealing a further blow to peace in Ukraine and jeopardizing the security of the European continent, with even wider repercussions. »
The pope, in his own words, wished to launch “ a sincere appeal “to men of good will, ” so that all political actions and initiatives serve human brotherhood rather than partisan interests “.
On multiple occasions in recent months, Francis has appealed for calm. In his last christmas message, he warned not to let the metastases of a gangrenous conflict spread in Ukraine “. ” Weapons are not the way “, he had hammered two weeks earlier.
As he has done in the past for Syria or the Democratic Republic of Congo, the pope invited believers to pray especially for Ukraine next Wednesday, January 26.
Pope Francis ‘concerned’ about Ukraine