ah, ah ah, this is the w news life from berlin. pulling back from the brink, russia says it's, we're drawing some of its forces from ukraine's borders. the apparent de escalation comes as german chancellor, olaf schultz meets with russia's. vladimir putin and warns an invasion of ukraine were trigger immediate sanctions. ah, on my la rock welcomed, did you have any news?

a day after meeting with the ukrainian president german chancellor, olaf schultz is in moscow for a face to face with russia's vladimir putin, the chancellor, hoping to de escalate tensions over ukraine. he said he would warn russia that any possible invasion of ukraine would lead to immediate sanctions. moscow always denied it. has any plans to invade. i shall defense ministry released footage, showing some of its troops, allegedly returning to their bases. after completing military drills there, ukraine's border nato says, the elias has no proof yet of a russian retreat. mister schultz and mister bruton are due to hold a press conference shortly and we will be carrying it that live for you as soon as it gets under way or earlier we spoke with did abuse chief political editor, mckayla christner who is travelling would german chance are all shots,

we asked her what the germans expect from the talks with president putin. well, they had very low expectations. there is no illusion that this could make a complete difference and end the stand off. but what will already be seen as a success is that, as all i've saw, it was stepping down the stairs from his plane. there was already at least a verbal climb down on the russian side from its position. either the 2 leaders have for break broken away from their meeting. let's go to moscow where the russian president, vladimir goodness, began on hamburg. he contributed to no small degree to make sure that doesn't mean arrangement between hamburg and st. petersburg could make progress a 20 arrangement which is seeing it says 6th anniversary. by soon with the current discussions, we have been dealing in depth waived by an actual su still. we also discussed the

future of our relationship with a particular focus on urgent international question. and i also told mr. shoulds that germany is one of russia's most important partners. and we do intend to strengthen corporation between our 2 countries. it is my impression that the chancellors also willing to continue being pragmatic in cooperating with russia to our mutual advantage. in particular, with a view to our economic relations, which traditionally have been strong. germany is ranking 2nd after the people's republic of china among russia's foreign trade partners, despite the difficult situation caused by the cove it pandemic. and despite the volatility in global markets in 2021, our bilateral trade has seen an upswing. we have seen an uptake of 36

percent to be precise, and it's about $47000000.00 new as a dollar worth. an investment in russia is $21000000000.00 us dollars and investment from russia are $10000000000.00 us dollars. so altogether, there are about $4000.00 companies in russia that have german capital injected into them. we also have regular meetings with the top executives of large german companies and i can only shake, tell you that obviously these meetings will be continued. they also are important because we are interested in hearing the opinions of our german partners. we think also that the atmosphere is important for us in the german market. that is proving helpful for us with because obviously business people come up with a good suggestion as to how the the business climate, the climate for investment purposes can be improved. many of these suggestions are taken into account by us. we think about them and turn them into practice. one

particular role is our bilateral corporation in the field of energy back in the 19 seventy's. our 2 countries have sent out a strong signal. and particularly in the pipeline business, we have seen that german and european consumers have been receiving russian gas supplies reliably, russia, council, more than one 3rd of the german energy needs are 34 percent when it comes to oil. and more than 35 percent. when it comes to gas, in 2021, germany got 15.7 cubic meters of russian gas delivered. even at a time when, at the stock exchange, the oil and gas prices very high. even at a time when we see there is perhaps an inch of sufficient supply in europe,

we have been supplying gas to the german limits on the basis of prices, which are the result of long term contracts. and the german regulator is currently engaged in certifying north stream to pipeline, which technically speaking, has been completed since the end of last year. it is actually one of the largest infrastructure projects in europe, and it is intended to improve energy security in europe and to contributor to european economic and environmental improvements. i've said several times that it is a project which is a project from the private market. there is no policy involvement. let me also make clear here that we are willing to continue shipping gas through ukraine beyond 2020 for the current transit agreement, which will terminate in 2024. we will of course, make sure that european importers,

if they wish to, and, or if the project turns out to be tumble, and if the pipeline in ukraine is technically in good condition to continue. so there are other energy sectors which are important as well. i'm thinking of further development commercialization and use of renewable energy sources. we've discussed the matter of hydrogen. for example, in our meeting today that i look on all these question is being developed as part of a bilateral working group, unsustainable energy. we also share an interest in case of cooperation with our german partners, particularly with a view to climate protection from your delivery, given the many suggestions so where we can undertake joint efforts. one example is a joint virginia monitoring of c o 2 emissions and development of methods of making sure we can um,

we contain these pollutants by using, for example, hydrogen on a much wider basis. we've also discussed her other relations. both sides are very interested in this scientific and educational exchange program, which is to be further developed the petersburg dialogue with civil society for him between the 2 countries that has a role to play. and obviously we also discuss russian initiatives and proposals made to the united states to the nato alliance, which are directly aimed at providing russia with security guarantees which will be long term and binding. we also discussed the most important demands principal. among them, the non admission to new animals to nato are not to deploy offensive weapons near the russian borders and to make sure that nato will keep to the 997

agreements. when the nato russia patch was signed. russia obviously cannot ignore the fact that the united states and the northern alliance nato, are arbitrarily changing the important principles of indivisible, security and do so to their own benefit. even though there are anchored in international law, we are talking about a principle which concerns not only the fact that obviously, we want to make sure we have guarantees for our security and that it is a country is half the right to join military alliances as our colleagues in nature, always maintain, but it is also important to maintain one security, not at the cost of the security of other countries. nato refers to the open door policy, and we also know that the north atlantic treaty. and as i've already said in a variety of press conferences and after meetings with european partners, article 10 of this treaty actually does not say there is an open door policy. you

can read in my new members, but i'm not obliged to, and that is it. the military containment of russia is something we should, which we see as a direct and immediate security threat. and we need to have legally binding agreements or to counteract the answer that we have received from the united states of america and from the in nature member countries. as far as we can see, do not complying with the most important demands made by russia. the answers which have been given to europe as foreign minister, love rav reported to me yesterday, let all some considerations which we do not wish to address. a de facto we are the ones who had actually proposed these very ideas to our european partners in early meetings, talking about european security, talking about ballistic massage, shortened intermediate range,

missiles and transparency. and we are very happy to continue working on this kind of corporation. we are also willing to continue the discussion process very well, but turn all these question which i've mentioned need to be seen as a package with out of am separating the most important german security is, is from them. the other question south of the security will to discussed in the context of the ukrainian conflict. the key of government refuses to keep to the immense agreement as we all know. and also he refused to implement new 2015 agreement. ought to be more precise. all the other agreements which are worth included later as part of this enormity agreement. there is no movement when it comes to principal questions, constitutional from amnesty, local elections, legal aspects of the special status of the don bus region. so far,

when the formula of the former u. s. foreign minister. and today's a german president, mr. sy, maya for the determine formula was presented by mr. stein my at the time as a compromised solution in addition to the minsk agreement. but even that formula has not been implemented to more with measures, to improve and restore the territorial integrity of the country being ignored, which could be done by having a direct dialogue. there are many human rights violations which are being allowed with dis, the russian speaking population is discriminated against and that is 11 in enshrined in law. many other questions are also a problem that we're looking at the iranian nuclear packed. when we're talking about the forum industries, we are also exchanging views on this. let me also make clear here and now that are the positions we have, we, our 2 countries are fairly similar on this particular issue. let me also say that i

am very grateful for the cooperation with germany and also thank you very much for a good and informative exchange. thank you for your attention with the other ladies and gentlemen, it is hired and important to be here in moscow. i say thank you for receiving me and thank you also for this long and informative or exchange. we haven't left out a single subject which is important in the relationship between our 2 countries, but also of importance for european relations. and that's a good thing because it's very important that we are genuinely talking to each other historically. and culturally, our 2 countries are very closely interlinked. there are many and diverse relations between us. we have more than 90 twin twin city arrangements running agreements. we have cultural and youthful exchanges have plenty of middle. currently, the germany year in russia has, in its and more than $1000.00 events have been held in more than 70 countries, highlighting all aspects of our relationship, culture signs, environment,

sustainability, diversity, everything. our economic relations are still of a huge potential as you've just heard, in particular, when we're looking at some issues which are particularly important for the future, such as d, carbonell, zation, renewable energy, hydrogen bonding, and digitization of on there are important for climate change, which is one big issue for human kind is only something which we can resolve by tackling it together. and that is why it's so very important in the relations between germany and russia that we will continue looking at this in the future. yes, energy is being supplied today, but we must make sure that we can also achieve that in an industrial is world which is a carbon neutral then that is amassed if we want to live in a climate friendly world, a very important pillar of our relationship is the dialogue between people because that has helped and contributed in no mean way to an exchange between our countries

. since the 2nd world war only want to continue that. that is also why we talked about the petersburg dialogue record, which is a symbol for russian german understanding. it is more important than ever before. i was expressed my hope that in the near future will find her a solution for the current blockage. with further high ranking discussions, we need an open dialogue. we need to be able to tackle or less use and to involve all those or warren. while you're involved till half your mistake godaddy, the situation for civil society is going to get more important than this particular tool. we're looking at some of the partners we work together with for a very long time, which are very important. and i mentioned that group memorial in germany, there was a complete lack of comprehension, or for this group of being unable to community work of all organizations. this is one which has made us central effort to solve the problem. or for example,

soviet p o w is in nazi germany and we hope that the situation will improve in the future. i've also expected to my express, my expectation that dr. elephant will be able to continue to work in russia on as i've already said. we have a wide range of bilateral interests which we address, but we haven't ignored critical questions. this is what is important, hodges in such exchanges. but of course, my visit to day was very much characterized by perhaps the most important crisis sir to europe are seen in many years. here. the military land troops being gathered, the russian in border. i love that is an issue which we addressed at length. as we did, our many comes to the security guarantees put forward by russia. i've given our a morgan view my in view as to how we, in our european partners assess this development. but obviously,

i've also say that we feel that this or massing of troops can be seen as a threat. and in this context, we cannot overestimate how concerned we are about these 100000 soldiers and what sort of activities they have. and what will happen there. we see of no sensible reason for putting these troops in these numbers them. so it is important to go the road at diplomacy that's extremely important in the situation like this. so as to avoid war in europe, president putin has talked to her about yesterday's deliberations with the news. and jan and foreign minister, he's just talked about his discussion with a foreign minister and agree with him that obviously diplomacy still leaves various options, untapped it is important. we now try to peacefully resolve this crisis. we now hear that some troops are being withdrawn and that is

a positive signal. we hope more well to follow. we are willing, together with all partners and allies in the european union in natal and with russia to discuss concrete steps to improve mutual or better still joint in the security. nato has already offered to lead discussions in the nato russia council. the united states has sir declared willing to do this in bilateral discussions with russia and within the u. s. e. the polish chair has also initiated a new high ranking dialogue process. it's a dialogue that will follow a sense of mutuality, recognition, of principles such as of all agreed within the cd to the to mean the territorial integrity last article in vile ability of borders. and that also applies to ukraine. this is not to be negotiated. wilson, my urgent request is that we should continue to explore these matters by dialogue.

we should not end in the cul de sac, that would be a disaster to fall every was law. as the german government is aware that further military aggression visally ukraine would have like serious political and strategic consequences. but in my opinion, if that is something we all know very well if any such escalation, therefore, needs to be avoided, who grew up in a determined and resolute way allotted. finding a diplomatic resolution was one of the main reasons why i traveled to care of yesterday. in moscow to day president putin and i agree that the norman dave format that it apart from the discussions between russia and the u. s. in the nato, russia council and the early cd are an important format which we can use to resolve the conflict. we need to see movement and progress here. as this is why it is

positive and present zelinski yesterday agreed relative that the equal trilateral contact group has because it's which has been established as part of the immense process where all parties come together. should briefly, should durban, discuss, forbid free text on our elections on the constitution in ukraine. what is happening there is good progress and we need to build on that. i've encouraged the president to be constructive in his mandate. set of progress can indeed be achieved. and in conclusion, on store once more for us and germany appears, but i think for all europeans, it is clear that lasting security is not something that can be achieved against russia only with russia. that we are all agreed in nature and the european union about this. and that is what should make it possible to find

a solution. however difficult and serious the current situation is. i refused to consider it to be helpless, courageous and responsible action is what we need to show now. and again, that's when one more thing for my generation war in europe has become unthinkable. and we must make sure that this remain. so, it is our absolute duty and responsibilities, heads of state and heads of government to make sure that europe will not see an escalation into a war possible showrooms with thank you, with a now continually joint press conference of the russian president and the german chancellor, german and russian journalists will have an opportunity to ask 2 question if 2 questions each are you, i guess, have the 1st question, make it yoga. no deutsche of ella. please. president

lindsay president by turns acknowledge you have the signal at one and the same time that you see dialogue, hats, and dare hands criticized is on that. the chancellor seems not to have brought enough with him particular from president zalinski in the way of assurance. and the question that all europeans ask themselves is that despite the close relationship with russia, is there a chance that war will happen in europe? do you currently exclude wall? do you rule out a war in europe and mr. target? mr. sholtes, chancellor. the question to you, how do you assess the situation after the discussion. gov as was that progress as you would have imagined. and what should be the next step further remove you. he was bringing together as far as war in europe is concerned.

the chancellor locally said just a moment ago that the people of his generation and i am of his generation to that these people all say this generation funds are very hard to imagine a war in your own. when you read and t refund to the ukraine, younger situation, but after all, we have already seen a war in europe and it was a war that was sir. oh, waged by nature against yugoslavia which was illogical. military operation with missiles bomb bombing attacks against one european capital bell grange. so something that's already happened and it happened without the united nations security council or approving the operations. so that's of a bad example, but it is an example, but we'll do that to you. this is the last point i wanted to make the 2nd point, whether you want sward or not. of course we do that is exactly why we have

made our proposals to start a process of discussion equally. romilly, or which is to make sure that we can discuss about equal security for everybody, including russia as sadly as we have already making a sadly oh, truly, objective, constructive answer to our proposals has not been received. we is, we still think that even in those documents that we have been sent by our partners from, from washington, from nato, that these documents do contain some elements that can be considered to be a little while ago. sure. but we are only willing to address that as a package deal with the other questions of principle, which are of the utmost importance for us. and we hope, and i had also told that the chancellor today, we hope that the dialogue will emerge in this a way. and depending on how this,

this dialogue will indeed unfold. the situation on regarding all other questions, will unfold the questions that you and we are concerned with. and we are simply just as concerned as your miss law this year. i believe it or to another that we now have a situation where it is important to us all options. not to leave a stone unturned until make sure that a peaceful development is possible. it are, this is why i've told you that. so the means closes. we'll see some new ideas with the legislative process which will be initiated, and i think this will contribute to the discussion in the trilateral. what contact group of our to get underway about these very proposals. and that could well be the beginning of a solution for a peaceful resolution to the ukrainian situation involving the don barza and the

ukranian government. with his 1st figures for his daughter to my mind, it's important that the discussions are happening just down that trial, actual contact group. this is what has been agreed on in minsk and that is exactly what we are trying to achieve to make possible. let me say once again that i believe in yugoslavia, this situation was slightly different. there was the danger of more of a genocide and this order is one had to be prevented, which i'm glad that by now the development there is a peaceful one than that. the balkan countries of all develop their own ah, developments also towards the european union and they did so from within themselves . that's a good sign of volition because of the root of one of them, of them. as far as this is concerned, i would like to add that in our opinion, what is happening in the don bus to day is also a genocide against it. and i was to maria, give me

a why should i close by? sorry, an novice d. maria glebova, i would like to ask her one major question which addresses or lot of questions. chancellor, you've just met the ukranian peasant resident in. keith or mr. zelinsky will give you full fill them in sc agreement. as in these agreements were signed. what is your impression? about that, and what is the chance for a piece of resolution, mister putin, this morning? ah, there was a press release saying that some troops are being withdrawn than there were comments from the duma, where m. o m p. 's call on you to recognise the don basket and the various regions independence and then i have to ask you what about all stream to what will happen to it. will that project be implemented? children, particularly with attention and the threats which have happened all around us. and mr. pardon, please allow me one other question and have a euro dodge and said,

mister schroeder is a long term friend of yours. and he is one of the candidates he was put on the list of candidates for the supervisory board of gas prom. after that, there was a lot of criticism against him. what can you say about that? euro go? sonya is listening room a shuttle understood the 1st points and the duma vote just before the press conference. the presidential administration staff informed me about the votes taken in the do man, and also bought the partial withdrawing withdrawal of the troops from the area where the maneuvers have been held. what, what can we comment about this? as far as the executive director, particularly the political leadership, there's nothing to comment really. there's been an agreement made about a partial withdrawal and the vote and way in the duma is linked to that because lee

and he's of the, of the russian parliament of the duma. and we follow public opinion just as they would in other countries. they base what they do on the voters opinion and other very sensitive nose for, for public opinion and for what the people in russia feel. and they also feel a sense of compassion for the people in the dog mass. they support them and their hope that the situation there will be able to be changed radically and for the better of calls for the better for them. and in their inches. i know that there were 2 draft proposals. one draft spoke her, wasn't brought from the russia unity party with the overwhelming or george in the party. the 2nd draft was so put in staggered terms of reg, depue to the president to recognize the, the 2 republics. it was an open and free vote. as far as been, i've been informed that there was no party whip about it earlier and most m. p 's actually supported the earth resolution,

which are the defacto opposition party, the communist part of the russian federation, pat tevo's dealer issue. i will assume that we will have to do everything possible to solve the problems of the don bus. however, this has to be done, as the chancellors said, namely that we come to a situation where the minsk agreement really is, is fully implemented. and we help very much that our overseas partners and our european partners literally are partners in germany, and france will have an influence on the key of government. and so that this is her number's region solution can be found, talk over the work with mother. i'm regarding mister schroeder, i nor stream to well look, mitchell in the kitchen together. i am told you the chancellor to day that in the early 2000.