German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Sunday that closely watched talks next week between President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Minsk were unlikely to deliver a breakthrough that would resolve the crisis in Ukraine.
A day after she paid a highly symbolic visit to Kiev, Merkel reiterated that a political solution was needed and that there was no military solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Putin and Poroshenko are due to meet in the Belarussian capital Minsk on Tuesday at a meeting that will also include senior members of the European Union and the Russian-led Customs Union.
"My visit to Kiev was preparation for such a meeting [between Putin and Poroshenko] which certainly will not result in the breakthrough," said Merkel in an interview with ARD television.
"But you have to talk to each other if you want to find solutions," said Merkel, adding the situation was very fragile.
Merkel, who has tried to play a role in easing the crisis, said she would do everything possible to help the two sides overcome differences on questions from decentralization to trading ties and gas deliveries.
"What we say, and especially I as someone who experienced how Germany could be united peacefully with the agreement of its neighbors, say that the Ukrainian people must have the opportunity to choose their path," she said.
Merkel, brought up in communist East Germany, said she did not want to do anything that would hurt Russia, indeed she wanted to have good trading and diplomatic relations with Moscow.
See also:
Merkel Vows NATO Will Protect Baltic States From Russian Aggression
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.