Trust in Russia has reached rock bottom DW 13 AUGUST Foreign affairs politician Karl-Georg Wellmann (CDU) believes that Russia will invade Ukraine under the pretense of providing them with aid. Help from Germany can only come when the region is brought to peace. DW: Mr. Wellmann, initially there appeared to be agreement between Kiev and Moscow and yet on Tuesday there were troubling reports that a Russian aid convoy, unknown to the international red cross, was on its way towards the Ukrainian border. Is this foul play from Russia? Karl-Georg Wellmann: Thats the fear. The problem is that trust in Russia has reached rock bottom after president Putin failed to adhere to his promises, including those made to Chancellor Merkel. Naturally, theres a concern that a military intervention is lurking behind the disguise of this humanitarian convoy. Thats why the response from the international community has been so hesistant. How likely do you consider a Russian invasion under a humanitarian banner? Likley and not - every angle has to be considered. There are corresponding noises coming out of Moscow: The deputy prime minister Dmitri Rogosin has said that Ukraine must be liberated. Russia could bring a swift end to the separate terrorist activities by stopping the movement of guns, ammunition and fighters across the border. Yet Russia have decided not to do this. As a result, the suspicion that they want to destabilise the system and use the pretence of a humanitarian convoy has increased. The instigator is now attempting to become police and thats not right. Ultimately, the Ukrainian government is in a dilemma. They have to react to the humanitarian emergency in the east, but success in that venture is unlikely without external help. Help from Russia though carries a great risk. What to do? The West must do all they can to stabilise the situation in the Ukraine. In the best case, this should be achieved with Russia but so long as Moscow remain an unreliable partner then nothing will happen. Russia must really take sustainable steps to regain that trust, and so far we havent seen that. What can the West do apart from watch on? If more help was to come out of Germany and other european countries, then Russia wouldnt be so involved. The talks between Ukraine and Russia are at an all time low. Ukraine has already made the decision to adopt the Western model, signing a treaty of association. And we must stress our support of Ukraine in this, economically, financially, with everything that Europe can offer. Does that include the potentially brief humanitarian aid? Humanitarian aid is absolutley necessary. The population in the battle zones are suffering. They have no power, no access to water in some parts, food or medical supplies. We have to do all we can, regardless of who is in charge. The Red Cross are good, as are the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), at providing the people in trouble with the necessary help. What does that really mean? We are well experienced in the supply of relief supplies, particularly in areas that are no longer being fought over where the aid workers are no longer in danger of death. We can do a lot to help. We as Germans, as well as the European Union and other international organisations, have all the means to help. As soon as these territories are free, it is time for reconstruction so that the people can see how quickly sustainably aid can be provided. Karl-Georg Wellmann has been a member of the CDU in the Bundestag since 2005 and is the chairman of the German-Ukraine parliamentary group. In 2003, the foreign affairs politician campaigned for a military strike against Syria after Ghutas poison gas attack even without a mandate from the UN - as well as recently in the battle against the IS rebels for the delivery of arms to the Kurds in northern Iraq.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 03:18:44 +0000
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