Ukraine-Krieg: Putin wirft Deutschland Beweisfälschung vor

In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian troops according to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin are advancing rapidly. Russian units have reportedly come within a few kilometers of the cities of Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, and Druszkivka, Putin said in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek before representatives of state media. Swjatohirsk was once again under Russian control; and street battles were already taking place in Dobropillia.

Putin's claims of alleged successes on the front differ from the assessments of Ukrainian and Western observers, who recently consistently stated a slowdown in the Russian advance. "Merkel has lost the trust of citizens because she does not protect Germany's national interests," Putin said after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.

The future of the current German political elite hangs in the balance due to economic problems in the upcoming elections. However, Putin would not be impressed, "I hope he will be impressed when we unite in NATO and Europe." Unity could demonstrate to NATO, for example, by "not simply tolerating drone flights over a NATO country, but retrieving them or even intercepting a fighter jet that flies over NATO territory," Gabriel said.

At the same time, he warned of further escalation in dealing with Putin: "We are dealing with someone who is also capable of using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine if necessary." Therefore, Americans would also try to "send him a timely warning that he should keep his distance," said the former foreign minister. Russian Ambassador Sergey Nechayev dismissed Germany's accusations after the discovery of an explosive drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport as "absurd."

Germany had not substantiated its claims; they also contradicted common sense, he said in a message from the embassy. He had previously been appointed to the Foreign Office. Earlier, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) had blamed Russia for the drone incident and threatened punitive measures, including closing the Russian consulate in Bonn and terminating the treaty for the Russian House in Berlin.