Foreign Minister Baerbock blames Putin for the failure of peace efforts in Ukraine

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Alliance 90/Greens) blames Russia's President Vladimir Putin for the failure of peace efforts in Ukraine so far. He is not prepared to even consider a ceasefire, she said at an election campaign event in Chemnitz. Germany must therefore support Ukraine in protecting its hospitals, nuclear power plants and cities. Baerbock spoke of the worst war crimes committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine and recalled the fate of around 20,000 children abducted from the east of the country. It was important to stand up for humanity.

Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) had repeatedly spoken out in favor of cutting back on arms deliveries to Ukraine and negotiations with Russia. He had also called for the damaged Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to be repaired as a prerequisite for the resumption of Russian gas supplies.

Kretschmer is a "foreign policy ghost driver", said Saxony's Justice Minister Katja Meier - a member of the Greens' top trio in the state election campaign: "We Greens stand by Ukraine." Her party will not waver in this stance, added parliamentary group leader Franziska Schubert.

A new state parliament will be elected in Saxony on Sunday. The Greens have been governing here together with the CDU and SPD since 2019, but are worried about re-entering parliament. Polls put them at around 5 percent - after 8.6 percent five years ago. Nevertheless, they are striving for further government participation. They are committed to maintaining the energy transition and want to accelerate forest conversion. They also advocate a reduction in bureaucracy and a consistent fight against right-wing extremism.