Information
Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed Germany’s lower house, emphasising Germany’s unwavering support for Ukraine amidst Russian aggression. He asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s assumption that Germany would waver in its support was a grave miscalculation. Despite Scholz’s previous opposition to providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, he affirmed Germany’s commitment to aiding Ukraine in defending itself against Putin’s expansionist goals. Scholz vehemently declared that Germany would not consent to a coerced peace that disadvantaged Ukraine, emphasising the importance of upholding international law and rejecting the use of force to alter borders. He condemned Putin’s actions as a violation of international law. He pledged that Germany would not allow him to evade accountability, asserting that Russia’s perceived strength was undermined by its manipulation of elections and suppression of opposition voices.
Chancellor Scholz’s address to the Bundestag, a significant event preceding the EU summit in Brussels, underscores Germany’s stance on the Ukraine crisis. Despite his previous reservations about supplying certain military assets to Ukraine, Scholz’s speech reaffirms Germany’s solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. By emphasising the importance of upholding international law and rejecting coercive tactics, Scholz positions Germany as a staunch ally of Ukraine and a defender of democratic principles on the European stage. As tensions escalate between Russia and Ukraine, Scholz’s remarks signal Germany’s unwavering support for Ukraine and its determination to hold Russia accountable for its actions, setting the tone for discussions at the upcoming EU summit.
Source: dpa, AFP
Assessment
While it is somewhat disappointing that Germany continues to block the supply of the Taurus missile, this strong statement of support reaffirms Germany’s support of Ukraine. Even though these words are positive, more action is required to ensure that Ukraine can hold off the likely Russian offensives in May.
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