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world news Dialuna 23 augustus 2021

Merkel, Ukrainian leader discuss peace Putin hopes ruling party will

efforts, gas pipeline dominate parliament after

vote
(AP) — Chancellor An-
gela Merkel sought to
move forward stalled
peace efforts for eastern
Ukraine on Sunday and
stressed Germany’s com-
mitment not to let Russia
use a new gas pipeline as
a “weapon” as she made
what is likely her last visit
to Ukraine as Germany’s
leader.

Merkel’s trip came two days
after she went to Moscow
to meet with Russian Presi-
dent Vladimir Putin. The
chancellor is not running in
Germany’s national election (AP) — Russian President servicemen.
next month and is near- being used as a weapon.” Vladimir Putin expressed
ing the end of her almost Merkel noted that some of She said she takes the con- hope Sunday that the Leonid Volkov, top ally of the
16-year-long leadership of the goals named by Zelen- cern very seriously, and Kremlin’s United Rus- imprisoned opposition leader
Germany. skyy, like “the opening of pointed to Germany’s ap- sia party will continue its Alexei Navalny, denounced
further crossings on the line pointment of a negotiator to dominance in parliament the move as an “open bribery
Speaking at a joint news of contact or other humani- help secure an extension of after the country’s parlia- of voters.”
conference with Ukrainian tarian questions, have not an agreement for gas transit mentary election in Sep-
President Volodymyr Zel- yet been implemented, and through Ukraine beyond tember. Navalny’s team has come
enskyy on Sunday, Merkel that weighs down the pro- 2024. under an intense crackdown
advocated working to get a cess a great deal.” The Sept. 19 vote is widely in recent months. As the
leaders’ meeting between “It commits future German seen as an important part of corruption fighter himself
Russia, Ukraine, Germany “However, one has to say governments to address this Putin’s efforts to cement his is serving a 2 1/2-year sen-
and France on the situation again and again: that at pres- issue of energy security” as rule before the next presi- tence in prison, his Founda-
in eastern Ukraine, the first ent, we have no other for- well as committing Germa- dential election in 2024. The tion for Fighting Corruption
since late 2019. mat in which can discuss ny to help renew Ukraine’s 68-year-old Russian leader, and a network of regional
these things, and so work energy mix, Merkel said. who has been in power for offices have been outlawed
“That in my opinion would should be continued here,” more than two decades, as extremist organizations.
bring us progress, if we can Merkel said. She also assured that Ber- pushed through a constitu- The designation has barred
work out a good agenda lin will “advocate further tional reform last year that people associated with the
-- our advisers should do She added that she expects sanctions in the European would potentially allow him groups from seeking public
that,” she said. “I am glad the next German govern- framework if this suspicion to hold onto power until office and exposed them to
that President Zelenskyy is ment to “work in the same is substantiated that the 2036. lengthy prison terms.
prepared to do this.” spirit” with Ukraine, push- pipeline is used as a weap-
ing for the country to recov- on.” As the election approaches, Some of Navalny’s top asso-
The fighting between er its territorial integrity and Russian opposition support- ciates had planned to run in
Ukrainian forces and Rus- enabling it to continue with Zelenskyy, in turn, said ers, independent media and the parliamentary election.
sia-backed rebels has killed domestic reforms. Kyiv has initiated consul- human rights activists face The politician’s team has also
more than 14,000 since tations with the European increased government pres- promised to deploy its Smart
2014. Germany and France The chancellor also talked Parliament and the German sure, ascribed by many to the Voting strategy at the elec-
have worked to help bro- up the merits of a U.S.- government regarding the Kremlin’s desire to ensure tion — a project designed to
ker a peaceful settlement to German deal last month to Nord Stream 2 pipeline. He that United Russia retains its promote candidates who are
the conflict, including an allow the completion of the added that energy minis- dominating positions in the most likely to defeat those
often-violated 2015 cease- Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline ters from the United States, parliament. from the dominant United
fire agreement reached in from Russia to Germany Germany and Ukraine will Russia party.
Minsk, Belarus. without the imposition of meet Monday in Kyiv. Putin met with top United
U.S. sanctions on German Russia officials on Sunday The government has also de-
Zelenskyy said Kyiv is seek- entities. The two leaders didn’t an- and said that he “very much clared a number of indepen-
ing a permanent cease-fire nounce any groundbreaking counts” on the party to “re- dent media outlets and jour-
in eastern Ukraine, a pris- Ukraine opposes the proj- agreements on Sunday but tain its positions” after the nalists “foreign agents” — a
oner exchange, open cross- ect, and Zelenskyy on Sun- that was no surprise, said election and “will be able to label that implies additional
ings at the line of contact day called it Russia’s geopo- Kyiv-based political analyst make the necessary decisions government scrutiny and
and to ensure Red Cross litical “weapon.” Volodymyr Fesenko. in the interests of the country carries strong pejorative con-
access to the conflict zone. at the legislative level.” notations that could discredit
He supported the idea of a “I believe that this is a weap- “There were no big expec- the recipients — and raided
meeting, but urged Kyiv’s on and it is not correct not tations from Merkel’s visit,” The United Russia faction the homes of several promi-
Western partners to exert to see it as a weapon,” he Fesenko, head of the Penta currently holds 334 parlia- nent reporters.
pressure on Russia in order said. “The launch will lead Center think tank, told The ment seats out of 450. How-
to achieve progress in east- to great risks and it will play Associated Press. “In a fare- ever, polls by Russia’s top Several media outlets and
ern Ukraine. into the hands of Russia.” well handshake, the chan- independent pollster Levada human rights group have
cellor tried to soften the un- Center show only 27% of ceased operations after be-
“As long as there is no prog- Merkel said she viewed the pleasant consequences that Russians are prepared to vote ing accused of ties with “un-
ress, the pressure on Russia German-U.S. agreement the agreements between for the party this year. desirable” organizations — a
should continue. We want “as a commitment by the Berlin and Moscow would designation that outlaws a
to see active efforts of our German government to have for Ukraine. Soften at During the meeting, Putin group and exposes its mem-
Western partners,” Zelen- ward off President Zelen- least in words.” also announced one-time bers, supporters and partners
skyy said. skyy’s worry, namely energy payments of about $135 and to prosecution.
$200 to Russia’s retirees and