Olaf Scholz emphasizes Germany’s historical responsibility in supporting Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression: “We defend justice and freedom – on the side of those attacked,” said the Chancellor in his TV speech.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) promised Ukraine further support in the fight against Russia on the anniversary of the end of the Second World War. For the first time in its history, the Federal Republic of Germany “sent weapons to such a war zone” in its help for Ukraine and “carefully considered” also delivered heavy equipment, he said in his TV speech according to the advance notice. “We’ll continue.” For him it is clear: “Putin will not win the war.”
“Again brute force breaks the law”
“For me, this is a May 8th like no other,” said Scholz, referring to the end of the Second World War. The silence of the guns 77 years ago was like “a peace in the graveyard”. “Millions were murdered in their towns and villages, in concentration or extermination camps. Germans committed this crime against humanity.”
“So it’s all the more painful” to witness how “brute force is again breaking the law in the middle of Europe. How Russia’s army is killing men, women and children in Ukraine, reducing towns to rubble and even attacking fugitives.”
The fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin “even equates his barbaric war of aggression with the fight against National Socialism” is “false history and infamous,” said Scholz. Putin wants to “subjugate Ukraine, destroy its culture and identity.”
The fact that there is now war in Europe again can only mean that Germany is defending law and freedom – “on the side of the attacked,” Scholz said. “We support Ukraine in the fight against the aggressor.” In addition to the arms deliveries, Scholz also referred to the support of Ukraine with unprecedented sanctions against Russia and the admission of Ukrainian refugees.
“Fear must not paralyze us”
In his TV speech, Scholz also addressed fears that the war could spread and “peace could also be endangered here.” In his view, it would be “wrong to simply dismiss it.” At the same time, however, the following applies: “Fear must not paralyze us.” Scholz also defended his line of not simply doing everything that one or the other is asking for when supporting Ukraine.
According to Scholz, he is guided by four principles: no German going it alone and coordination with the alliance partners; maintaining one’s ability to defend oneself; no policy that harms Germany “and our partners more than Russia”; And fourth, he will not make any decision “that would turn NATO into a war party.” “The fact that there should be no more world wars – certainly not between nuclear powers – is also one of the lessons of May 8th.”
“When and how Russia’s cruel war against Ukraine will end,” he said, admitted Scholz. “But one thing is clear: there shouldn’t be a Russian dictated peace. The Ukrainians won’t accept it – and neither will we.”
Scholz was “deeply convinced” that Ukraine would survive and that freedom and security would “victory” – “just as freedom and security triumphed over bondage, violence and dictatorship 77 years ago”. Contributing to this to the best of one’s ability, “that is the legacy of May 8th.”
Source: Stern
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