GERMANY: German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, has stressed the importance of G7-ASEAN solidarity and partnership in tackling the Ukraine crisis. She made these remarks during a meeting with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon in Germany on Wednesday, 23 February.

During a meeting between Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Berlin, Germany, the two sides discussed bilateral relations, cooperation with ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region, climate change, as well as current pressing issues of regional and international interest and concern, particularly the situation in Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Baerbock stressed the importance of unity and partnership between the G7 and ASEAN, while Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn stressed the importance of ensuring world peace and upholding the rule of law in international affairs.

In similar regard, on Thursday, the 2022 ASEAN Chair, Prime Minister Hun Sen, also called for dialogue and a peaceful solution to the Russia-Ukraine issue while speaking at a press conference following his meeting with the Malaysian Prime Minister.

On Thursday, G7 leaders expressed unanimous shock and condemnation of the Russian attack on Ukraine, followed with announcements of major economic sanctions against Russia.

Russia has announced the destruction of all Ukrainian air defense systems, as well as the destruction of 11 airports and the seizure of an air base just 30 kilometers from the Ukrainian capital. Russian forces are reportedly trying to seize Ukraine's Serpent Island in the Black Sea, less than 40 kilometers from NATO member, Romania, and have reportedly already seized control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant according to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.