Irish Examiner view: Putin must be encouraged to climb down from his position on Ukraine

Visits of the German chancellor to Kyiv and Moscow are important links in chain united Europe's reaction to Russian aggression

Members of the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army walk on the tarmac at Pope Field ahead of deployment to Poland from Fort Bragg, North Carolina. They are among soldiers the US Department of Defence is sending in a demonstration of American commitment to NATO allies worried at the prospect of Russia invading Ukraine. AP Photo/Nathan Posner

The visits of German chancellor Olaf Scholtz to Kyiv yesterday and Moscow today are important links in the chain uniting western Europe’s reaction to Russian aggression on the Ukrainian border.

Underlining that last week’s visit by French president Emmanuel Macron to both capitols was not a solo run, and attempting to douse the flames of controversy ignited by criticism of Germany’s thus far limp response to Russian threats, Scholtz yesterday highlighted Europe’s steadfast support for Ukraine and his own country’s financial support of the beleaguered country. Today he will need to stress to Russian president Vladimir Putin that there are still no guarantees about the future of the controversial Nord Stream 2 east-to-west gas pipeline.