Germany’s new leader outlined a five-point plan to counter Russian aggression that includes immediately supplying military weapons to Ukraine.
Olaf Scholz became Chancellor of Germany in December 2021 after Angela Merkel stepped down from her post after 16 years of service.
In a special session of the Bundestag — Germany’s Legislature — that met Sunday, Chancellor Scholz said a response to Russia is about the question of whether might makes right and can break laws with impunity. “Whether we can allow Putin to turn back the clock to the time of Imperial powers of the 19th century or, we can draw a line in the sand and contain this,” he said.
Germany will support Ukraine in its hour of need, the Chancellor remarked.
“Yesterday, we decided Germany will deliver weapons to Ukraine so it can defend itself,” said Scholz. “There was no other response possible to Putin’s aggression.” The arms delivered will include 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger anti-aircraft defense systems. The country also reportedly granted approval for the Netherlands and Estonia to divert some German-originated weapons in their countries to Ukraine.
The decision to deliver arms was an about-face for the Germans, who held to their position against shipping arms to other countries for weeks despite pressure from allies. Scholz’s announcement was the country’s recognition of the reality that Russia is poised to topple the democratic government in Kyiv.
“To get Putin away from this path of warring on Ukraine. we have approved a raft of sanctions that are unprecedented,” Scholz said about his second point. “Sanctions on Putin, those close to him and oligarchs.” The chancellor added his country also agreed to exclude important Russian banks from SWIFT, the system that facilitates worldwide electronic fund transfers.
The chancellor next spoke of the Russians who protested against Putin’s war, saying it took a great deal of courage and Germany respects that. His remarks earned a standing ovation from the parliament members.
His third plank revolved around containment, saying it was important to prevent Putin’s war from infecting other European countries.
“We are committed to our mutual defense clause,” he asserted. “I assured this to those in Eastern Europe who worry about their own security.” Scholz noted increased troop levels in Lithuania and Romania as well an enhancements to naval patrols of the North Sea and Mediterranean. He added Germany is prepared to help protect air space of allies near the conflict.
Next, he said Germany needs to beef up its own security, noting 100 billion Euros have been earmarked for this in the 2022 budget. Scholz said more than 2 percent of the country’s GDP will be invested in defense every year, from now on.
“Anyone who has read what Putin says can have no doubt that Putin wants to create a Russian empire,” the chancellor explained. “He wants to re-create the old order in Europe and he has no fear of using military might to achieve it, and we are seeing that in Ukraine today.”
“We need to invest considerably more in the security of our country to defend our liberty and democracy in this way, as well.” Another security facet he introduced was weaning the country from dependence on any one energy supplier, saying the country will immediately beging bulding two Liquid Natural Gas storage facilities that will be able to be repurposed to store hydrogen in the future.
Finally, he noted the country will still speak with Putin and try to engage the Russians diplomatically. He noted that dialog requires willingness from both sides but there is no willingness by Putin.
” We want peace in Europe,” Scholz concluded, adding Germany is working with partners in Europe and across the world to achieve it.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
