In the government survey of the Bundestag, the chancellor answers the questions of the members of parliament. And they mainly revolve around the war in Ukraine. And the question of whether Germany is giving Ukraine enough support in its defensive struggle against Russia.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has accused the Russian military of committing war crimes in the Ukrainian city of Bucha. Russian soldiers “carried out a massacre of Ukrainian civilians there, including children, women and the elderly,” Scholz said in a statement before question time in the Bundestag. “The murder of civilians is a war crime.” The “terrible pictures” from Butscha “shook us all deeply,” said Scholz.
He sharply rejected claims by the Russian leadership that the relevant recordings were fake. “The cynical assertion spread by Russia that this issue is a staging falls back on those who spread these lies.” The perpetrators and their clients “must be held accountable,” Scholz demanded.
Scholz pointed out in the Bundestag that “the killing of the Russian military” in Ukraine is now continuing unabated. It must be expected that “more such pictures” as in Butscha would come to light. Scholz again called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to immediately end the “destructive and self-destructive” war in Ukraine.
Scholz defends Lambrecht
In the regular government survey by Parliament, Scholz expressly defended Defense Minister Christine Lambecht (SPD) against the accusation that she was too hesitant to hand over weapons to Ukraine. “I know that Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht is doing everything that is feasible in view of the decisions made by our allies and the capabilities of the Bundeswehr,” said the SPD politician. “Whatever weapons we can deliver from the Bundeswehr’s current stocks, everything that makes sense and works quickly, that will be delivered.”
Shortly after the Russian attack on Ukraine, the German government decided to supply weapons to the war zone, thereby breaking a taboo. To date, it has exported anti-aircraft missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns and several million rounds of ammunition, among other things. After the atrocities against civilians in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, arms deliveries are now to be expanded again. The CDU/CSU accuses Lambrecht of being too hesitant and not delivering everything that was promised.
With a view to the ongoing negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow to end the war, the chancellor called the neutrality offered by Ukraine a “great concession to the aggressor”. At the same time, he made it clear: “It must not result in a dictated peace.” The question of security guarantees for Ukraine has “not yet been spelled out,” said Scholz. “Of course we talk about it – but also with the necessary confidentiality – with Ukraine and do the same with the others who have been approached.” However, this cannot be further specified at the moment.
Scholz wants a speedy agreement on the admission of refugees
A day before the federal-states’ round on the acceptance of Ukrainian refugees in Germany, the chancellor called for people not to get caught up in a dispute over funding. “I wish that we wouldn’t have a long, long discussion about financial issues between the different levels of our country, but that we would quickly come to an agreement between the federal government and the states.” The real task is to help the refugees who have sought protection in Germany.
Scholz announced a “Sanctions Enforcement Act” to give the punitive measures against Russia more power in practice. The question is “completely legitimate” whether the state has all the necessary tools to act as it wants, for example in the seizure of assets, he said. “And the answer to that is no.” A task force was therefore set up and it was already agreed in the coalition agreement to increase the scope for action.
In view of the search for alternatives to Russian gas and oil as well as to Russian coal, the chancellor again refused to use the nuclear power plants in Germany any longer. That is “not a good plan”. The piles are not prepared for continued operation. If you want to let the nuclear power plants run longer, new fuel rods and other nuclear resources are needed, said Scholz. However, these are not readily available.
Source: Stern
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