The German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has called on Vladimir Putin

 The German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has called on Vladimir Putin to “untie the noose around Ukraine’s neck”.

Speaking following his re-election for a second five-year term, Steinmeier said that responsibility for ongoing tensions lay with Russia, AFP reported.

The comments come as the newly-elected chancellor, Olaf Scholz, prepares to travel to Kyiv to meet with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, on Monday and then on to Moscow to meet with Putin on Tuesday.

They also follow criticism of Germany by some for its apparent reticence to back measures proposed by its allies in the US and Europe to deter Russian aggression against Ukraine.

“I appeal to President Putin: Lift the noose from the neck of Ukraine,” Steinmeier said.

“We are in the midst of a military conflict, a war in Eastern Europe. Russia is responsible for this.

“People [in Ukraine] have a right to a life without fear and threats, to sovereignty, and to self-rule. No country in the world has the right to destroy it, and we will respond resolutely to anyone who tries this.”

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addresses lawmakers in Berlin

 German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called on Vladimir Putin to ‘untie the noose around Ukraine’s neck’ 

Photo  Gedtty  Images

The Guardian -13 February 2022