There can be no normal relations with this Russia - Annalena Baerbock

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock made the statement in an interview with the Romanian portal Digi24.

"We must be clear: there can be no normal relations with this Russia. Like many Russians, we want a peaceful and democratic Russia that does not pose a threat to its neighbors," Baerbock said.

The Foreign Minister stressed that Germany has no illusions about Russia, so the task is to continuously strengthen common security against Russia.

"As long as the brutal war of aggression that violates international law continues, we will gradually strengthen sanctions against Russia. Because Ukraine also defends the freedom of Europe. Therefore, we will support it as long as necessary with weapons, humanitarian and financial aid," the minister added.

On December 26, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany allocated EUR 35 million to meet the sanitary and educational needs of Ukrainian children.

Germany exported more than EUR 8 billion worth of weapons in 2022, which was almost a record (EUR 9.35 billion were exported in 2021). A quarter of these weapons went to Ukraine.