German Foreign Minister: Rapprochement between the United States and Russia would be useful for Ukraine
Following the visit to the United States, the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sigmar Gabriel, expressed confidence that the Administration of the U.S. President, Donald Trump, is still just developing its strategy towards Russia. Gabriel stated this on the air of the ARD TV Channel, Deutsche Welle reported. The Minister welcomed the possibility of rapprochement between the United States and Russia.
“We must all hope that the United States and Russia will reach an agreement but not at the expense of Ukraine or Europe. However, if there is a reduction in the tension between the two world powers, a favorable environment will be created for the developments in Syria and Ukraine as well,” Sigmar Gabriel said.
“For us, Germans and Europeans, everything is clear: We can’t tolerate that one country in Europe changes the borders, as Russia did. The Americans see the same picture of the situation,” the German Minister for Foreign Affairs noted. Commenting on the situation in Avdiivka, Sigmar Gabriel emphasized that both parties to the conflict are responsible for the current escalation in the Donbas.
After meeting with the Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, and the U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, Gabriel stressed that the United States have a strong interest in a united Europe and support the transatlantic partnership in NATO.
In this regard, the German Minister stated that Europe should focus on what unites it and not discuss what divides it.