Chancellor Scholz criticizes the Ukraine debate: “It cannot be surpassed in terms of ridiculousness”

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Germany Chancellor

“It cannot be surpassed in terms of ridiculousness,” says Scholz about the German Ukraine debate

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“This is embarrassing for us as a country,” says Scholz about the German Ukraine debate

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has sharply criticized the debate that has been going on for weeks about German support for Ukraine. “The debate in Germany cannot be surpassed in terms of ridiculousness,” said the Chancellor at the Europe 2024 conference in Berlin.

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Chancellor Olaf Scholz has clearly rejected the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev – and is now criticizing the ongoing discussion about German support for Ukraine. “This is embarrassing for us as a country,” he says.

bChancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has sharply criticized the debate that has been going on for weeks about German support for Ukraine. “The debate in Germany cannot be surpassed in terms of ridiculousness,” said the Chancellor on Tuesday at the “Europe 2024” conference in Berlin. “This is embarrassing for us as a country.” The discussion, which is primarily about the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles, is not understood outside of Germany.

Scholz pointed out that Germany is Ukraine’s second largest arms supplier. This must first be recognized, he demanded. Germany was “the first to deliver almost all of the dangerous weapons,” said Scholz. He named battle tanks, artillery and Patriot missiles, among other things. These extraditions had previously been properly coordinated and decided with the German allies. “I would like to see a debate in Germany that does not discredit prudence as something that is hesitant,” said the Chancellor.

At the end of February, the Chancellor clearly rejected a delivery of Taurus missiles with a range of 500 kilometers. He justified this, among other things, by saying that Germany could be drawn into the war. The Union, but also the coalition partners Greens and FDP criticize him sharply for this. Kiev has been demanding German cruise missiles for months to defend itself against Russia.

Traffic light argues about Taurus issue

Last week, the Union parliamentary group again submitted a motion to the Bundestag calling for the immediate delivery of German Taurus cruise missiles. The application was rejected by a large majority. Before the vote, the MPs argued controversially; criticism of the Chancellor’s stance came not only from the Union, but also from the Greens and the FDP.

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SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich, on the other hand, defended the Chancellor’s position: “Turning times are not for political players. What is needed is understanding, prudence and clarity. And the Chancellor does this in the consideration that he has as head of government,” said Mützenich.

He also asked in the Bundestag debate: “Isn’t it time that we not only talk about how to fight a war, but also think about how we can freeze a war and end it later?” The wording gave him a sharp edge criticism. Party colleague and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius distanced himself from Mützenich on Monday.

The CDU defense politician Serap Güler praised the defense minister for this. “I am very clear about Boris Pistorius,” said Güler on the WELT news channel. During a visit to Warsaw, Pistorius said that anyone talking about freezing the war was playing into the hands of Vladimir Putin. “And I think that actually says it all,” said Güler. “I’m surprised that the Defense Minister is the only one who has this clear view and the Chancellor doesn’t seem to be able to do it.”

Scholz calls on Putin to withdraw his troops

Scholz also said on Tuesday at the “Europe 2024” conference that decisive military aid for Ukraine was currently the most important message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “He must know that his speculation that we will not be able to maintain support for Ukraine as long as it is necessary is wrong,” Scholz said. “That means he cannot count on a president being elected in the USA who will immediately bury Ukraine with him.”

The Russian President must recognize that a situation is emerging in which a “fair peace that is not a dictated peace” is possible, said the Chancellor. To do this, Putin must first withdraw his troops. In this context, Scholz also defended SPD parliamentary group leader Mützenich. This one sees it the same way. Mützenich is a staunch supporter of arms deliveries.

Scholz also praised the fact that France had increased its aid to three billion euros. He knows how difficult this was for the government in Paris.

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