Russian President Vladimir Putin is hoping the war in the Middle East will shift the focus from his “crimes” in Ukraine, the German foreign minister said on Friday.
“Putin is cynically hoping that the escalation in the Middle East will divert our attention from his crimes in Ukraine,” Johann Wadephul said during a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in France.
“This calculation must not succeed,” he said, warning that any compromising on Ukraine’s defence capabilities would “play into Putin’s hands”.
Echoing a major theme at the two days of talks of G7 ministers outside Paris, Wadephul said the international community needed to work even closer together as it was now dealing with two wars in which Russia and Iran were cooperating.
The talks were also attended by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
“We can see very clearly how closely the two conflicts are linked. Russia is clearly supporting Iran with information about potential targets,” said Wadephul.
A day earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had accused Russia of supplying Iran with intelligence to “kill Americans” in the Middle East as well as supplying drones.
“We need to strengthen our unity. Given that Iran and Russia are working together in the closest way, we must stand even closer together,” Wadephul added.
