2 minutes agoGermany's Final Decision to Russia
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)The European Union will urgently prepare new sanctions against Russia”, says EU foreign policy officer Josep Borrell. He did not, however, make clear what sanctions are being prepared and when the decision will be made. “Masacre in the city of Butsha and other Ukrainian cities [...]
He also made it clear that from the EU's perspective, Russian authorities are responsible for atrocities committed during their occupation. To bring responsible government and military officials to justice, the investigation launched by the International Criminal Court is largely being endorsed, as well as the work of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights's investigative commission, Borrell noted. The EU also assists the Ukrainian Attorney General and civil society in gathering and securing evidence of war crimes.
In the suburb of Kiev, Butsha after the withdrawal of Russian army troops from this Ukrainian capital region has been found hundreds of civilian corpses. The total number of the dead is not clear. According to Butsha Mayor Anatoly Fedoruk's data, 280 people were buried in the mass grave because the cemetery was attacked. Ukrainian General Prosecutor Iryna Venedicova refers to 410 dead civilians in Kiev.
Germany expels 40 Russian diplomats
40 Russian diplomats must leave Germany after the unwanted “person” has been declared. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock communicated that members of the Russian Embassy “worked here every day in Germany against our freedom, against our co-operation and society”. When diplomats are declared unwanted, they must leave the country.
The work of Russian diplomats is “a threat to those seeking to find protection at us”, Baerbox said, arguing the verdict. This we will not tolerate. We have communicated this to Russia's ambassador this afternoon” (04.04). Russian Ambassador Sergey Netshayev was called to the Foreign Ministry by Secretary of State Andreas Michaelis and informed of the expulsion of diplomats. The affected have five days to leave Germany. According to this information, people in question may be linked to Russian intelligence services.
Regarding atrocities in the Ukrainian city of Butsha, Baerbock said, these images “testify to an incredible brutality of Russian leadership” and of those who follow their propaganda, “for a zeal of annihilation, which exceeds any limit”. Similar images are feared that there may be many other areas where Russian troops have invaded Ukraine. This cruelty we must contend with with with the strength of our freedom and democracy, as well as our humanity”, the foreign minister said.
France has also expelled a number of Russian diplomats. They risk national security, the Foreign Ministry in Paris noted. “This step is part of a European initiative.” / DW
