“What now, Mr. Scholz?”: In the evening, the Chancellor commented on his Ukraine policy on ZDF. That’s what Olaf Scholz said about arms deliveries, an energy embargo, a trip to Kyiv – and about Gerhard Schröder.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has once again defended his course in Ukraine policy. He acted “prudently and with a clear mind,” emphasized the SPD politician in the evening on the ZDF program “What now, Mr. Scholz?”. “I always made decisions quickly, together with everyone else, coordinated with the allies,” said the Chancellor.
For half an hour, the Chancellor answered questions from ZDF editor-in-chief Peter Frey and deputy ZDF editor-in-chief Bettina Schausten – Scholz continued his strategy, which has recently been increasingly noticed, of expressing himself more publicly. Most recently, the Chancellor’s reserved communication had caused criticism. The interview, recorded in advance in Berlin, was broadcast on ZDF on Monday evening at 7:20 p.m.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz comments on ZDF on Ukraine
Scholz said in the conversation that the Ukrainians were fighting for their rights to state sovereignty, democracy, freedom and the rule of law after the invasion of Russian troops.
Of the star documents the most important statements made by Olaf Scholz about …:
- … Weapons shipments: The chancellor reiterated that weapons from Germany were being delivered to Ukraine “with great intensity”, from Bundeswehr stocks, from the arsenal of the armaments industry or in cooperation with Eastern European countries (so-called ring exchange). Scholz described the recent decision to deliver Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine as “necessary”. Every single decision in the conflict must be carefully considered. However, Scholz made it clear that Ukraine would continue to be supported by the West.
- … a trip to Kyiv: He approves of the planned trip by CDU leader Friedrichs Merz, said Olaf Scholz. A possible trip to the Ukrainian capital is currently not up for debate. The fact that Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was uninvited stands in the way of a trip.
- … an energy supply stop: The Chancellor was convinced that the sanctions imposed so far were working. However, oil and gas cannot be implemented overnight. The following applies to Germany: “We can gradually get out of coal. We can do without oil a little faster. And in the longer term we will also be able to cope with not importing gas.” Scholz did not say when Germany can do without Russian gas. An oil embargo by the European Union is still being discussed, the Chancellor said, he does not want to publicly anticipate a decision. “We will solve this together.”
- … the protection of NATO territory: Scholz repeated his statement from the government statement shortly after the Russian army invaded Ukraine: “Anyone who attacks NATO territory must expect that we will all defend every inch of this territory together.” Scholz again categorically ruled out any involvement of NATO in the ongoing war.
- … the goal in the war: “Our goal is for the hostilities to end immediately, for Russia to end the war and withdraw its soldiers,” explained Scholz. Putin must not succeed with his strategy of questioning borders. This also applies to the annexation, which violates international law the Crimea.
- … his management style: “The leadership is that I don’t give in to everyone who shouts out loud and uses the wrong arguments, but says very clearly what the course is,” said Scholz. “We have repeatedly made decisions that result from the specific events of the war.” Olaf Scholz justified his communication style in recent weeks with the seriousness of the current situation.
- … Gerhard Schröder’s commitment to Russian energy companies: “Honestly, since the beginning of the war I have found it impossible for the former Chancellor to continue to carry out these tasks.”
You can see the full interview with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz in .
Source: Stern
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