German envoy says 'toughest sanctions' against Russia incoming

ISTANBUL

The German ambassador to Turkiye said on Friday that a "comprehensive package of the toughest sanctions against Russia" is on the way.

Speaking at a press conference at the German Consulate in Istanbul, Jurgen Schulz slammed Russia's military operation in Ukraine, saying Moscow was "violating the most fundamental rules of international order and international law in front of the eyes of the world."

Schulz accused Russia of distorting the UN convention by defining its "military attack on Ukraine" as a "peacekeeping mission," adding that Belarus's participation in the operation was "shameful."

Underlining that no action had been taken by Ukraine, nor NATO or any other party, to "justify such bloodshed," he said: "The Russian government alone has chosen this path of a unilateral attack."

"(Vladimir) Putin openly questions Ukraine's right to exist by distorting historical facts," said Schulz, adding that claims that NATO surrounded Russia and forced it to take this step was a "blunt lie."

He also dismissed the Russian president's claim that a "genocide" was occurring in eastern Ukraine.

Noting that "all means" have been tried in recent months to find a "peaceful solution" to the crisis in Russia through diplomacy, Schulz said: "The Russian government did not respond to our offers to meet."

The German diplomat underlined a "comprehensive package of the toughest sanctions against Russia" would be introduced, pledging coordination with the EU, NATO, G7 and Ukraine.

"We will strengthen our security and our allies. Today, the issue is not just Europe," he stressed.

Gratitude to Turkiye

Schulz expressed gratitude to the Turkish government, which he said "is committed to protecting the United Nations Convention and the basic principles of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe)," and "stood up against this aggression together with us."

He said Turkiye and Germany condemned Russia's attacks on Ukraine together as they took a "common stance against Russia's annexation of Crimea in violation of international law" in the past.

He said sanctions against Russia, rising prices, and falling stock markets would also affect Germany and Turkiye, but added: "If we don't stand up for this issue now and take a common stance with determination, we will pay even higher prices."

Russia's military intervention in Ukraine entered its second day on Friday, with the latest reports indicating that Russian troops were heading toward the capital Kyiv from several directions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered the military intervention on Thursday, just days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine.

He claimed that Moscow had no plan to occupy the neighboring country, but wanted to "demilitarize" and "denazify" Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of trying to install a puppet government and said Ukrainians will defend their country against Russian aggression.