German FM accuses Putin of cynically using Middle East war to shift attention from Ukraine, warning against compromising Kyiv’s defence.
CERNAY-LA-VILLE: Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes the war in the Middle East will shift global attention from his “crimes” in Ukraine, Germany’s foreign minister said.
Johann Wadephul made the statement during a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in France on Friday.
“Putin is cynically hoping that the escalation in the Middle East will divert our attention from his crimes in Ukraine,” Wadephul said.
He warned that any compromise on Ukraine’s defence capabilities would “play into Putin’s hands”.
The minister stressed that this calculation by the Russian leader must not succeed.
Echoing a major theme of the two-day talks near Paris, Wadephul said the international community must work closer together.
He noted the world is now dealing with two wars where Russia and Iran are cooperating.
“We can see very clearly how closely the two conflicts are linked,” Wadephul stated.
He accused Russia of clearly supporting Iran with information about potential targets.
The talks were also attended by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
A day earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accused Russia of supplying Iran with intelligence to “kill Americans” in the Middle East.
Kallas also noted Russia’s supply of drones to Iran.
“We need to strengthen our unity,” Wadephul added.
He argued that given the close cooperation between Iran and Russia, the international community must stand even closer together.
