Steinmeier: Europe guarantees its security without Russia

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Europe would ensure its future security even without Russia. In an interview with ZDF on Sunday, Steinmeier claimed that Germany and many other countries had tried to build a security structure with Russia. But this didn't work in the long run. He added: "Unfortunately, this means that Europe's security will no longer be shared with Russia in the future. "

Steinmeier said it will defend itself by increasing the defense budget to better protect Europe and the alliance. However, that means "huge expenditures for our defense budgets." While Steinmeier spoke of Europe's future security without Russia, the country is trying to avoid a conflict with Moscow, as illustrated by Berlin's opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership.

The Telegraph wrote: “Germany plans to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and prefers to consider alternative security arrangements for Kiev to avoid a direct conflict with Moscow. This British newspaper quoted NATO officials, adding: "Germany is opposed to presenting Kiev with a clear roadmap or strong guarantees for membership of this western military alliance at the forthcoming NATO summit in Lithuania. “According to the Telegraph report, Germany fears that Kiev's membership will immediately enforce Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which treats an attack on one NATO member country as an attack on all countries of the organization.