Next few days to be decisive for whole world - Baerbock

The next several days will be decisive both for the course of the Russian war on Ukraine and, in general, for the further development of the world.

This was stated by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who spoke at a joint press conference with her Filipino counterpart Enrique Manalo after their talks in Berlin, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The next few days will be decisive, not only with regard to Ukraine, but decisive for peace in the whole world," Baerbock said.

Read also: German Leopard tanks expected to arrive in Ukraine by end of March – Pistorius

She called the week ahead in New York one that would "sum up the whole past year." It is about the fact that the world has united to condemn Russia's war of aggression, which was expressed by the vote on the resolution of the UN General Assembly last March. However, there was a certain number of countries that abstained, and a very small number of those who supported the Russians. As for the former, they continued to abstain in other votes not because they do not condemn the war, not because they do not support the UN Charter, "but because they are heavily dependent on Russia," Baerbock suggested.

In general, over the past the international community not only clearly declared that it condemns Russia’s violation of international law, but also that it clearly stands by the UN Charter. This needs to be reaffirmed also in New York on Thursday and Friday.

"This war is not a European matter. This war has terrible implications for the whole world. Therefore, these very days in New York, the whole world will appeal to President Putin with a call to stop the war, withdraw his troops, and work toward restoring peace," the top diplomat emphasized.

Read also: Over 3,000 Ukrainian troops to complete training in Germany by year-end

At the same time, she noted that in 2022, partners in the EU and NATO worked on strengthening their own defense capabilities.

It should be recalled that February 24, the UN General Assembly will vote on a draft resolution that emphasizes the need to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. The vote will be preceded by two days of speeches by dozens of delegations.