Shortly before his departure for Washington, Chancellor Scholz emphasized again: No deadly weapons for Ukraine. He lets criticism roll off himself.
Berlin – Chancellor Olaf Scholz has again strictly rejected German arms deliveries to Ukraine and at the same time tried to dispel doubts about Germany’s loyalty to the alliance.
“The federal government has had a clear course for many years, that we do not deliver to crisis areas and that we do not deliver lethal weapons to Ukraine,” said the SPD politician on Sunday in Berlin in the ARD program “Report from Berlin”. before departing for his inaugural visit to US President Joe Biden. With a view to ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), he added: “My predecessor thought so, and that was correct. And that stays true.”
Scholz: Do “what is in the interest of the German people”
Scholz emphasized that the majority of Germans see it the same way. There are other loud statements in public. “But my obligation is to do what is in the interest of the German people and what, in this case, is also the view of the citizens of our country.” accused of putting too little pressure on Russia in the Ukraine crisis.
When criticized that Germany was perceived as the weakest link in NATO, Scholz replied: “That is a wrong impression, which is not prevalent in Washington either, but which some express.” Germany has the largest contingent of troops in the European Union and is doing the job largest contribution within NATO. “Everyone knows that, it is of great importance.” Many allies are based in Germany. “At the same time, we are the country that has provided the greatest economic and financial aid to Ukraine since 2014.” Scholz made a similar statement shortly before leaving for Washington on the RTL / ntv television channel.
Trip to the USA comes “at exactly the right time”
Scholz rejected criticism that his initial visit to Washington was too late. The trip comes “at exactly the right time” and is well prepared. “You don’t just go there to have a coffee. It’s about making real, hard, important politics, which in this case is of course taking place in a very critical situation.”
It is about “preventing a war in Europe. (…) That is what I owe the citizens of our country and for which I also feel responsible with regard to the European peace order and our allies.”
Close coordination with Macron
The Chancellor stressed the importance of working with French President Emmanuel Macron to de-escalate the crisis between Russia and Ukraine. He had met Macron several times, and they talked to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels, Scholz said on ARD. “It was a very important conversation, which also marked the beginning of bringing this conversation format between Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany back to life,” he said, referring to the so-called Normandy format.
It is a great challenge to push the talks in this composition “so far that concrete results can be achieved,” said the Chancellor. Strategic sovereignty with a stronger Europe will “only succeed if we advance this together, especially France and Germany”. That’s why it’s so good “that I’ve not only known the French President for a long time, but that we’re also in close contact with one another.”
Scholz: Rather act than talk
A lot had been prepared to act in the current situation, said the Chancellor against the background of allegations that he had not been publicly involved in the crisis management for too long. “It’s about not saying something every day, but doing something every day so that we can secure peace in Europe.” That’s exactly what happens with increasing improvements.
“No one would have predicted to us a few weeks ago that we would manage to have talks again, that they would take place so intensively,” said Scholz, referring to the negotiations with Moscow. “Even if the allegations are still the focus of these conversations, that’s different at first than not talking to each other at all.” Scholz added: “I’m also a little proud personally that we managed to do it.”
When asked whether there was a chance for diplomacy or whether Russian President Vladimir Putin had already decided on military intervention in Ukraine, Scholz emphasized that there would be a high price if military intervention did take place. It is very important that the Russian leadership in particular knows this. But everything must also be done “to ensure that diplomacy gets a chance and that we can communicate.” dpa
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