The head of German diplomacy in Moscow: a “constructive” visit according to Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during their meeting in Moscow on January 18, 2022. AFP - MAXIM SHEMETOV

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Perceived in Moscow as an "anti-Russian" and while relations between Russia and Western countries are particularly tense, the trip of the new German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock promised to be perilous and complex.

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With our correspondent in Moscow, 

Jean Cassey

In terms of Russian-German relations, three major issues dominate the agenda. Ukraine, first of all, where the threat of war is greater than ever. The eternal file of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, then, still not entered into operation despite the growing impatience of Russia. And finally, the question of the launch in Germany of a German-speaking antenna of the propaganda channel Russia Today, RT DE, today blocked by numerous technical, legal… and political obstacles.

These three points were all raised during  German

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock 's

visit to Moscow .

A visit which, according to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, would have taken place in a “ 

constructive

 ” way.

Russia and Germany, he said, will be able to find points of convergence, in particular on questions of economic cooperation, but also and above all, on the

Ukrainian file

.

“

For Ukraine we are on the same line, there is no alternative to the Minsk agreements,

affirms Sergei Lavrov. 

We have no illusions about Kiev.

Our hope is that Paris and Berlin will force Mr. Zelenski to do what he has repeatedly promised to do. 

»

The result may look meager.

But given the level of diplomatic tensions in recent weeks between Russia and Western countries, it is also encouraging.

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To read also: Crisis in Ukraine: joint military maneuvers between Russia and Belarus

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