German FM visits Kiev, Moscow to discuss Ukraine crisis

BERLIN, Jan 17 (KUNA) -- Germany's Foreign Minister Analina Berbock began a visit to Ukraine and Russia on Monday to discuss the current Ukrainian crisis that sparked after Russia sent over 100,000 soldiers to the two countries' borders.
In a statement during her visit, Berbock said that Germany is ready to hold serious and fruitful talks to resolve the issue, while ensuring the security of both sides. But, she warned that Germany would take decisive action if Russia chose to escalate tensions, she added.
The minister is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and her counterpart Dmytro Kuleba about the developments on the Ukrainian-Russian borders and Ukraine's demands for stopping the Russian gas pipeline to Germany (Nord Stream 2). They will also discuss the Normandy Format, consisting of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine, regarding the Ukrainian crisis.
Moreover, Berbock will meet with her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow to discuss Russia's current tensions with Ukraine and the EU, energy security, opposition situation and human rights in the country. (end) anj.ag