Steinmeier: Europe threatened by "new divides," urges dialogue with Russia:
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has warned that Europe "is at risk of splitting along new divides."
In an opinion column published in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus marking the 75th anniversary of Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union, Steinmeier said that "peace in Europe cannot be taken for granted."
He also urged diplomatic dialogue between NATO and Russia rather than military confrontation.
Steinmeier's commentary was published on June 22 in Russia's Kommersant, Ukraine's Serkalo Nedeli, and Belarus's Sovetskaya Belorussia newspapers.
Referring to Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region and its support for separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine, Steinmeier said the "unilateral shifting of borders in breach of international law and the failure to respect the territorial integrity of neighboring countries...take us back to the times from which we believed we had escaped, times that nobody can wish for."
On June 18, Steinmeier warned NATO against "warmongering" by staging military exercises on its eastern flanks.
He urged the alliance to replace the training exercises with more dialogue and cooperation with Russia.
Steinmeier said on June 19 that, if the Kremlin does its part to implement the Minsk peace plan for Ukraine, the European Union should gradually phase out sanctions imposed against Russia for its role in Ukraine's crisis. (AP, Reuters)
RFE/RL's news desk has been watching Putin's speech in the Duma today -- and they've sent us this item:
Putin Says Russia Must Respond To 'Aggressive' Western Actions, Rhetoric
President Vladimir Putin told Russia's State Duma on June 22 that the country "must think about its own security" when confronted by what he called "NATO's aggressive actions near Russia's borders."
Putin told lawmakers at the final plenary session of the current State Duma that Moscow would "adequately respond" to "aggressive Western rhetoric."
Putin also said that the world should confront international terrorism by creating what he described as a security system that transcends existing alliances.
He said Russia is "ready for dialogue" on creating such a security system.
Putin praised lawmakers in the lower chamber of parliament for supporting Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region.
Although June 22 is the final plenary session for the 6th State Duma, the five-year term of office for deputies formally ends in September.
Legislative elections in Russia, originally planned for December 4, have been brought forward to September 18 with all 450 seats in the State Duma at stake.