Scholz calls for EU rethinking: “Weakens us”

Olaf Scholz appeals to the EU in view of the Ukraine war. The Chancellor calls for a rethink. Selfishness in one’s own ranks weakens the position towards Russia.

Berlin – Chancellor Olaf Scholz has campaigned for a stronger and “geopolitical European Union”. In a guest article for the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” published on Sunday afternoon, the SPD politician writes that in response to the Ukraine war the EU must close its ranks in all areas in which it has previously disagreed: “In migration policy, for example, building European defence, technological sovereignty and democratic resilience”. He announced concrete proposals from the federal government “in the next few months”.

Scholz calls for EU rethinking: “Weakens us”

Scholz described the EU as the “lived antithesis of imperialism and autocracy”, which is why it is a thorn in the side of those in power like Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. “Permanent disunity, permanent dissent between member states weakens us. That is why Europe’s most important answer to the turning point is: unity. We absolutely have to keep them and we have to deepen them,” warned Scholz. The Chancellor called for an end to “selfish blockades of European decisions by individual member states”. In foreign policy, for example, the EU can no longer afford national vetoes if it wants to continue to be heard in a world of competing great powers.

Scholz reaffirmed that Ukraine would be supported as long as it needed it, economically, humanitarianly, financially and through the supply of weapons. “At the same time, we ensure that NATO does not become a war party.”