Berlin will supply weapons to Ukraine, President of Germany reports

Berlin will supply weapons to the war zone, despite contradicting Germany's security philosophy until recently. With such a russia, once its war crimes have seen the light of day, there can be no return to normal relations.

This was stated during a joint press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda on Monday in Warsaw by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Ukrinform reports.

According to the German president, Berlin will supply weapons to Ukraine, although until recently this was not in line with Berlin's security philosophy. According to him, the governments of Germany and Poland are closely cooperating on steps to support Ukraine.

"We are in solidarity with Ukraine," Steinmeier said.

He stressed that putin had failed to divide Europe, but that it had strengthened its efforts to counter external aggression.

"There can be no return to normal relations with such a russia. russia's war crimes were seen by the whole world. They need to be documented and investigated, and the perpetrators and political decision-makers need to be brought to justice," Steinmeier said.

According to him, russian barbarism in Ukraine must stop. He called on the russian president to end hostilities and allow the evacuation of civilians from Mariupol.

Commenting on the issue of sanctions, Steinmeier said that EU countries should increase economic pressure on russia. He said that all countries will try to reduce energy exports from russia, noting that gas imports from russia to Germany fell from 60% to 40%.

"It can be said that this is still a lot, but on the basis of these data it is clear that we are serious about reducing energy dependence on russia," said the German president.

He added that given the structure of the German economy, "it is not possible to give up russian energy as quickly as some expect. Those who initiate sanctions should not suffer more than russia itself," Steinmeier said.