West, Moscow need to resume negotiations despite differences, Germany says

The West needs to return to the negotiating table with Russia, even if Moscow's demands amid its military build-up on Ukraine's border do not match Western perceptions, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Wednesday.

Dialogue with Moscow is necessary, be it in the Normandy format together with France and Ukraine or in talks at the Russia-NATO Council, she told a news conference in Berlin.

"This means we need to talk even if proposals have been made which are not our negotiating basis," Baerbock said, referring to Russian demands set out on Friday, including that NATO refuse to accept Ukraine as a member and guarantee that no weapons or troops be deployed there.