Waszczykowski: Steinmeier's criticism of NATO exercises shows a double standard from Germany
The Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Witold Waszczykowski, stated in his interview with TVN24 TV Channel that the statement by the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who heavily criticized military exercises with the participation of NATO countries in Eastern Europe, is evidence of a dual approach coming from Berlin on the issue of the security of the Alliance’s eastern flank.
“My response is the following: Frank-Walter Steinmeier, you have several plans for negotiations with Russia – the Normandy and Minsk formats - where the situation in eastern Ukraine is discussed [with the participation of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany],“ Waszczykowski stated.
Steinmeier chairs the OSCE for one year as Germany currently has the presiding role in the organization. “There are many plans for negotiations. Who forbids holding negotiations with Russia?” Waszczykowski said.
According to him, part of the German Government deployed military officers to the Anakonda 2016 exercises. These officers participated in the exercises and were proud to demonstrate that they can protect Poland and participate in a defensive mission in Poland for the first time. However, the other part of the German Government casts doubt on it and asks, “Is it worth to rattle sabers and ride tanks near the Russian border?” Witold Waszczykowski added.