German FM to discuss Ukraine crisis in Washington talks

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock plans to make her first diplomatic trip to Washington this Wednesday with the conflict between Russia and Ukraine looming large on the agenda, reported dpa.

Baerbock is set to meet, among others, her US counterpart Antony Blinken, the Foreign Ministry in Berlin announced on Monday.

It is the second face-to-face meeting for the two top diplomats after talks in December at a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Liverpool.

Baerbock's trip to Washington comes early in her term - Germany's new government only took office in December - and shortly after Germany assumed the chairmanship of the G7 group of leading economies in the New Year. The visit underscores the importance the German government grants to transatlantic ties, a ministry spokesperson said.

The talks would focus in particular on the situation around the Ukrainian border, the spokesperson said.

Washington accuses Russia of massing troops in areas near the border with Ukraine, and has joined Western allies in warning of severe consequences if Russia invades the former Soviet republic.

Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014, and a conflict has simmered in the eastern part of the country ever since.

Russia denies any intention to invade Ukraine.