German President Frank-Walter SteinmeierRIGA, Feb 16German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is visiting Latvia, believes that Russia and Western countries do not need to speak the language of weapons. «The only successful way is through serious negotiations, not the language of weapons. We need endurance and patience. If Russia wants to negotiate, then we must receive clear and credible signals that would confirm the de-escalation, since there are now a large number of armed forces near the western borders of Russia,» Steinmeier said at a joint press conference with Latvian President Egils Levits. Kiev and Western states have recently expressed concern over the alleged increase in «aggressive actions» by Russia near the borders of Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly denied such accusations, saying that it does not threaten anyone and is not going to attack anyone, and statements about «Russian aggression» are used as an excuse to deploy more NATO military equipment near Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry previously noted that statements The West about «Russian aggression» and the possibility of helping Kiev defend itself against it is both ridiculous and dangerous. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is moving troops within its territory and at its own discretion. According to him, this does not threaten anyone and should not worry anyone. Statements that Russia is allegedly preparing provocations in Ukraine continue to come from the West, despite the return of Russian troops to their places of deployment after the exercises. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday reported that «some of the exercises are coming to an end, some will be completed in the near future.» The Southern and Western military districts of the Russian Federation have begun returning troops to their places of deployment, Major General Igor Konashenkov, an official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry, told reporters on Tuesday. US Senate supported possible sanctions against Russia on Ukraine
