Germany's Baerbock Warns America Against Tie-ups for Dictatorial Peace with Russia Over Ukraine
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U.S. cautioned against sanctioning dictator-backed peace deal for Ukraine (Baerbock's warning) - U.S. cautioned against forging peace compromises with dictatorial factions concerning Ukraine, as per Baerbock's warnings.
In a stern meeting with colleagues from Nordic-Baltic countries, Poland, and France on the Danish island of Bornholm, German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, has issued a strong warning to US President, Donald Trump, against any agreement that would favor a Russian-dictated peace for Ukraine. "It ain't gonna benefit no giant like the USA to seal a deal that fuels further aggression," said Baerbock.
Putin's Hybrid Warfare on Full Display
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, with his underhanded attacks on data cables and the use of the so-called "ghost fleet" to bypass sanctions in the Baltic Sea region, illustrates that he's more interested in causing more chaos instead of cooperation.
Needed: Strong German Leadership for European Peace
"Three bloody years of war, yet a sudden three-day ceasefire sham hides the fact that ol' Putin still has our European peace order in his sights," said Baerbock. Strengthened cooperation in the Baltic Sea region is crucial, serving as a further investment in our shared security. Moreover, Germany must assume a strong leadership role for peace throughout Europe.
United Front of Nordic-Baltic Countries
The foreign ministers of the closely connected Nordic and Baltic NATO countries—Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia—coordinate annually in the cooperation format, Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8). Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, these nations have been among the most significant supporters of Ukraine. Six of the eight Nordic and Baltic NATO allies, like Russia, border the Baltic Sea, and the three Baltic states, as well as Finland and Norway, also share borders with the vast empire to the east. This binding connection has resulted in turmoil that's been escalated by puzzling and unexplained incidents in the Baltic Sea.
The Menacing Specter of the "Ghost Fleet"
There have been several suspected acts of sabotage on essential infrastructure in the sea, starting with the explosions on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines near Bornholm in September 2022. The Swedish Prosecution Authority recognized that the leaks were the result of a severe act of sabotage. Although the perpetrators remain unidentified, the Kremlin denies any involvement. Since then, data cables, pipelines, and power lines have been damaged several times.
Stay Away from Nord Stream, Baerbock Advises
Given this history, Baerbock strongly advises against reactivating Nord Stream 2. "Not stirring up Nord Stream 2 is our critical self-protection," she mentioned. Both members of the previous and current German governments have consistently reiterated that Nord Stream 2 cannot be restarted.
The Captain's Wish for Wadephul
Baerbock, with genuine sentiment, congratulated her designated successor, Johann Wadephul (CDU), "heart and soul for this tough, not easy task as we sail through these tumultuous waters." Battles are ahead, "but the unity among the world powers is also daunting." Baerbock blessed Wadephul "with plenty of wind in your sails and more sea beneath your keel." The native Husumer Wadephul seems likely to become the first foreign minister from the ranks of the Union in almost 60 years starting in May.
Baerbock and Wadephul, Old Comrades
Baerbock and Wadephul have a history of working together, and they will continue to do so in different capacities, Baerbock mentioned, without clarifying her future role at the United Nations (UN) in New York.
Farewell Gifts and a New Beginning
Bornholm might have been Baerbock's last trip as the leading foreign minister, but not a farewell from the global stage: The 44-year-old is slated to become the chair of the UN General Assembly for the 2025/26 session. The election for this position is scheduled for early June. As a parting gift, Baerbock's colleagues presented her a fitting keepsake: A “New York City” Lego set, created by the Danish toy conglomerate, allowing one to assemble an architectural skyline of the city, including the Empire State Building and the One World Trade Center. Or, suitable for her new role, the iconic Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island.
- Annalena Baerbock
- Dictated Peace
- Foreign Ministers' Meeting
- Ukraine
- Bornholm
- US President
- Donald Trump
- Baltic Sea
- Russia
- Germany
- Johann Wadephul
- Nord Stream 2
- Nord Stream
- Poland
- France
- Vladimir Putin
Enrichment Data:
- These nations have collectively provided over €100 billion in military and civilian aid to Ukraine since 2022, pledging to continue support "for as long as necessary."
- Focus on disrupting Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Baltic Sea, fortifying NATO patrols and joint exercises to protect critical infrastructure.
- Advocacy for European defense autonomy (including EU defense funding and industrial capacity) should transatlantic unity weaken, while maintaining NATO’s regional commitments.
- Any settlement must uphold the UN Charter, ensure Ukraine's territorial integrity, and be negotiated by Kyiv, not dictated by Moscow or third parties. This stance aligns with broader Western objectives, including those of the US, while demonstrating steadfastness against Russian coercion.
- Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, has cautioned US President Donald Trump against any negotiations that might result in a Russian-dictated peace for Ukraine, stating that such an agreement would only exacerbate the aggression.
- The cooperation format, Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8), formed by the foreign ministers of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, has been instrumental in supporting Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion, with six of the eight nations bordering the Baltic Sea and three Baltic states, as well as Finland and Norway, sharing borders with the vast empire to the east.
- Baerbock has emphasized the need for stronger German leadership to maintain European peace, highlighting the three years of war in Ukraine and the deceptive three-day ceasefire as evidence of Putin's continued threat to the European peace order.
- Given the historical acts of sabotage on essential infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, such as the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines, Baerbock has advised against the reactivation of Nord Stream 2 as a critical safety measure.
- Colombian-born Baerbock is poised to become the chair of the United Nations General Assembly for the 2025/26 session following her expected election in early June, after which she will likely step down as Germany's Foreign Minister and be succeeded by Johann Wadephul.
- As part of her farewell gifts, Baerbock's colleagues presented her a "New York City" Lego set that allows one to assemble an architectural skyline of the city, including the Empire State Building and the One World Trade Center, or, symbolically, the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island.
- To counter Russia's hybrid warfare, Baerbock and other European nations are advocating for disrupting Russia's shadow fleet, reinforcing NATO patrols and joint exercises to safeguard critical infrastructure, and advocating for European defense autonomy should transatlantic unity wane, while maintaining NATO’s regional commitments.
- Any settlement for Ukraine must adhere to the UN Charter, secure Ukraine's territorial integrity, and be negotiated by Kyiv, not dictated by Moscow or third parties, to align with broader Western objectives, including those of the US, and stand against Russian coercion.
