06:28The German government's press office dodged questions on NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg's reported proposal of a $100 billion fund for Ukraine - but also claimed any such plans would not affect NATO's involvement in the conflict with Russia - during the briefing in Berlin on Wednesday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sebastian Fischer said ongoing talks in Brussels were 'confidential discussions', but his colleague Christiane Hoffmann then denied the outcome might affect the alliance's relationship with the conflict.
"Does the Chancellor [Scholz] not see the danger that this is more likely to drag NATO into the war with Russia, if NATO stands behind Ukraine as an organisation, to organise arms deliveries?" a reporter asked.
"No, NATO involvement in the war in Ukraine would expressly not be associated with these proposals," argued Hoffman. "And that also corresponds to the clear position of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Government.”
Stoltenberg called for 'institutionalised' support from members, rather than backing based on individual 'voluntary' donations, although allies appeared divided during the meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. He has also previously rejected claims that his alliance is involved in the Ukraine conflict.
Moscow has strongly condemned arms deliveries to Kiev from NATO members, saying they would only prolong the fighting but wouldn't change the outcome. On Thursday, the Kremlin said the alliance was in 'direct confrontation' with Russia.
Meanwhile, Fischer said Germany's thoughts were with the people of Taiwan following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, and admitted it was a 'confusing' situation when asked about German citizens in the region.
"The images affect us all. And our thoughts are with the people in these difficult hours, their relatives and friends whose belongings are buried under the rubble," he said. "As far as German nationals are concerned, this is the case, the current situation is still confusing. We are following all leads that we have.”
Hoffmann was also asked to comment on a row between the media group behind Berliner Zeitung and the Ukrainian ambassador, who had accused the paper of 'distorting reality' about the conflict with Russia - and to which the paper had replied, alleging 'intimidation'.
"For questions of media law, I am not directly responsible for this," Hoffmann replied. "I would say, these are debates that happen in a democracy with the press and freedom of opinion and I can now see at first glance are nothing unusual.”
On Israel's alleged targeting of the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier in the week, Fischer stated that 'an armed attack against an embassy or a consulate would be a reason for concern'.
Israel has not admitted to the strike. When a reporter asked if Fischer's statement that 'regional escalation' should be avoided also applied to Israel, he responded 'this applies to all players in the region'.
He also called for an investigation to take place 'very quickly' into the Israeli strike on an aid convoy in Gaza - which the country called a 'grave mistake' - to 'provide thorough clarification because such things must not happen'.
Meanwhile deputy head of press Sonja Kock also commented on recent allegations regarding a 'Russian influence operation' in the European Parliament.
"In this context, the sanctioning of the Ukrainian national Artyom Marchewski, of the media company Voice of Europe, and the Russian influence player Viktor Medvedchuk by the Government of the Czech Republic," she stated.
"The network is practising illegitimate acts on behalf of Russian influence on the European Parliament and also uses female politicians and politicians from several European countries and represents significant available funds," she continued. "Security authorities continue the investigation into this case and I cannot give you more details.”
The Czech government sanctioned the two named men last week, who, along with 'Voice of Europe' have not commented on the allegations. Moscow has also not commented at time of publication.
'NATO involvement in Ukraine' not affected by Stoltenberg's funding plans - German govt spox
The German government's press office dodged questions on NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg's reported proposal of a $100 billion fund for Ukraine - but also claimed any such plans would not affect NATO's involvement in the conflict with Russia - during the briefing in Berlin on Wednesday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sebastian Fischer said ongoing talks in Brussels were 'confidential discussions', but his colleague Christiane Hoffmann then denied the outcome might affect the alliance's relationship with the conflict.
"Does the Chancellor [Scholz] not see the danger that this is more likely to drag NATO into the war with Russia, if NATO stands behind Ukraine as an organisation, to organise arms deliveries?" a reporter asked.
"No, NATO involvement in the war in Ukraine would expressly not be associated with these proposals," argued Hoffman. "And that also corresponds to the clear position of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Government.”
Stoltenberg called for 'institutionalised' support from members, rather than backing based on individual 'voluntary' donations, although allies appeared divided during the meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. He has also previously rejected claims that his alliance is involved in the Ukraine conflict.
Moscow has strongly condemned arms deliveries to Kiev from NATO members, saying they would only prolong the fighting but wouldn't change the outcome. On Thursday, the Kremlin said the alliance was in 'direct confrontation' with Russia.
Meanwhile, Fischer said Germany's thoughts were with the people of Taiwan following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, and admitted it was a 'confusing' situation when asked about German citizens in the region.
"The images affect us all. And our thoughts are with the people in these difficult hours, their relatives and friends whose belongings are buried under the rubble," he said. "As far as German nationals are concerned, this is the case, the current situation is still confusing. We are following all leads that we have.”
Hoffmann was also asked to comment on a row between the media group behind Berliner Zeitung and the Ukrainian ambassador, who had accused the paper of 'distorting reality' about the conflict with Russia - and to which the paper had replied, alleging 'intimidation'.
"For questions of media law, I am not directly responsible for this," Hoffmann replied. "I would say, these are debates that happen in a democracy with the press and freedom of opinion and I can now see at first glance are nothing unusual.”
On Israel's alleged targeting of the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier in the week, Fischer stated that 'an armed attack against an embassy or a consulate would be a reason for concern'.
Israel has not admitted to the strike. When a reporter asked if Fischer's statement that 'regional escalation' should be avoided also applied to Israel, he responded 'this applies to all players in the region'.
He also called for an investigation to take place 'very quickly' into the Israeli strike on an aid convoy in Gaza - which the country called a 'grave mistake' - to 'provide thorough clarification because such things must not happen'.
Meanwhile deputy head of press Sonja Kock also commented on recent allegations regarding a 'Russian influence operation' in the European Parliament.
"In this context, the sanctioning of the Ukrainian national Artyom Marchewski, of the media company Voice of Europe, and the Russian influence player Viktor Medvedchuk by the Government of the Czech Republic," she stated.
"The network is practising illegitimate acts on behalf of Russian influence on the European Parliament and also uses female politicians and politicians from several European countries and represents significant available funds," she continued. "Security authorities continue the investigation into this case and I cannot give you more details.”
The Czech government sanctioned the two named men last week, who, along with 'Voice of Europe' have not commented on the allegations. Moscow has also not commented at time of publication.
The German government's press office dodged questions on NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg's reported proposal of a $100 billion fund for Ukraine - but also claimed any such plans would not affect NATO's involvement in the conflict with Russia - during the briefing in Berlin on Wednesday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sebastian Fischer said ongoing talks in Brussels were 'confidential discussions', but his colleague Christiane Hoffmann then denied the outcome might affect the alliance's relationship with the conflict.
"Does the Chancellor [Scholz] not see the danger that this is more likely to drag NATO into the war with Russia, if NATO stands behind Ukraine as an organisation, to organise arms deliveries?" a reporter asked.
"No, NATO involvement in the war in Ukraine would expressly not be associated with these proposals," argued Hoffman. "And that also corresponds to the clear position of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Government.”
Stoltenberg called for 'institutionalised' support from members, rather than backing based on individual 'voluntary' donations, although allies appeared divided during the meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. He has also previously rejected claims that his alliance is involved in the Ukraine conflict.
Moscow has strongly condemned arms deliveries to Kiev from NATO members, saying they would only prolong the fighting but wouldn't change the outcome. On Thursday, the Kremlin said the alliance was in 'direct confrontation' with Russia.
Meanwhile, Fischer said Germany's thoughts were with the people of Taiwan following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, and admitted it was a 'confusing' situation when asked about German citizens in the region.
"The images affect us all. And our thoughts are with the people in these difficult hours, their relatives and friends whose belongings are buried under the rubble," he said. "As far as German nationals are concerned, this is the case, the current situation is still confusing. We are following all leads that we have.”
Hoffmann was also asked to comment on a row between the media group behind Berliner Zeitung and the Ukrainian ambassador, who had accused the paper of 'distorting reality' about the conflict with Russia - and to which the paper had replied, alleging 'intimidation'.
"For questions of media law, I am not directly responsible for this," Hoffmann replied. "I would say, these are debates that happen in a democracy with the press and freedom of opinion and I can now see at first glance are nothing unusual.”
On Israel's alleged targeting of the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier in the week, Fischer stated that 'an armed attack against an embassy or a consulate would be a reason for concern'.
Israel has not admitted to the strike. When a reporter asked if Fischer's statement that 'regional escalation' should be avoided also applied to Israel, he responded 'this applies to all players in the region'.
He also called for an investigation to take place 'very quickly' into the Israeli strike on an aid convoy in Gaza - which the country called a 'grave mistake' - to 'provide thorough clarification because such things must not happen'.
Meanwhile deputy head of press Sonja Kock also commented on recent allegations regarding a 'Russian influence operation' in the European Parliament.
"In this context, the sanctioning of the Ukrainian national Artyom Marchewski, of the media company Voice of Europe, and the Russian influence player Viktor Medvedchuk by the Government of the Czech Republic," she stated.
"The network is practising illegitimate acts on behalf of Russian influence on the European Parliament and also uses female politicians and politicians from several European countries and represents significant available funds," she continued. "Security authorities continue the investigation into this case and I cannot give you more details.”
The Czech government sanctioned the two named men last week, who, along with 'Voice of Europe' have not commented on the allegations. Moscow has also not commented at time of publication.