02:42Germany: Moscow’s decision to expel German diplomats ‘totally unjustified’ – FM Maas
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas criticised Russia for the lack of cooperation in the investigation of the murder of a Georgian citizen in the centre of Berlin while speaking in the Bundestag on Friday.
"Russia's decision today to expel two German diplomats doesn't surprise us. However, this decision sends us a bad signal and, if we look at the situation, it is totally unjustified. That is why we expect that Russia seriously and promptly cooperates with us in the investigation of the murder in Tiergarten, Berlin," Mass said, adding that "The Attorney General will be following the process and we will prepare other measures."
In his speech, the foreign minister also spoke about Ukraine and the recent Normandy Four talks held in Paris on Monday, and highlighted the need for stronger cooperation to solve the conflict.
"We will work further in order to end this conflict in the neighbouring state and to make this sixth winter for the citizens in Ukraine the last winter during the war," the minister said.
Germany's federal prosecutor's office has said there was "sufficient evidence" showing that the murder was carried out on behalf of the Russian state or by Chechnya. After that Germany has expelled two Russian diplomats. Russia has dismissed these allegations as "absolutely groundless suggestions" and as a retaliatory measure has expelled two German diplomats.
02:42mandatory credit: deutscher bundestag
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas criticised Russia for the lack of cooperation in the investigation of the murder of a Georgian citizen in the centre of Berlin while speaking in the Bundestag on Friday.
"Russia's decision today to expel two German diplomats doesn't surprise us. However, this decision sends us a bad signal and, if we look at the situation, it is totally unjustified. That is why we expect that Russia seriously and promptly cooperates with us in the investigation of the murder in Tiergarten, Berlin," Mass said, adding that "The Attorney General will be following the process and we will prepare other measures."
In his speech, the foreign minister also spoke about Ukraine and the recent Normandy Four talks held in Paris on Monday, and highlighted the need for stronger cooperation to solve the conflict.
"We will work further in order to end this conflict in the neighbouring state and to make this sixth winter for the citizens in Ukraine the last winter during the war," the minister said.
Germany's federal prosecutor's office has said there was "sufficient evidence" showing that the murder was carried out on behalf of the Russian state or by Chechnya. After that Germany has expelled two Russian diplomats. Russia has dismissed these allegations as "absolutely groundless suggestions" and as a retaliatory measure has expelled two German diplomats.