Ukrainian troops in their surrounded barracks talk with armed men, believed to be Russian soldiers, in the village of Perevalnoye, outside Simferopol. Photo: DPA
The Ukraine crisis is the worst in Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall and diplomacy is now essential to avoid military escalation, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Monday. Russia’s intervention means “the threat of a division of Europe is real again,” Steinmeier said as he arrived for an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers.
“But now is time for diplomacy. Diplomacy does not mean weakness but is more needed than ever to prevent us from being drawn into the abyss of military escalation,” he said.
“A reversal is still possible and therefore today is the day for clear messages to Russia.”
Russian “military activities are completely unacceptable from our point of view,” Steinmeier added.
- Germany warns of ‘new division of Europe’ (02 Mar 14)
- Merkel ‘worried’ over developments in Crimea (02 Mar 14)
- Four things Germany must now do for Ukraine (25 Feb 14)
Meanwhile from the Russian Press:
3 South Ukrainian Cities Want to Join Crimea – Lawmaker
Crimea Mulls Switch to Moscow Time
Russia Says Ukraine Action Aimed at Protecting Human Rights
Russia Enlists Chinese Support on Ukraine Position