Olaf Scholz: Clear signal to Trump – “Borders must not be moved”

In view of the latest statements by future US President Donald Trump, Chancellor Olaf Scholz publicly reminded Trump of the international principle of the inviolability of borders. “Borders must not be moved by force,” said Scholz in Berlin. “This principle applies and it is a foundation of our peace order.”

Recently, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot swore in an interview that the Europeans should further strengthen themselves militarily. “If you ask me if I think the US will invade Greenland, the answer is no,” the Frenchman said. Trump had previously expressed interest in the island of Greenland, which belongs to Denmark, several times. At a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago home, he did not rule out using the military to gain control of the Panama Canal or Greenland.

Scholz reported that in his discussions with European partners there was “a certain lack of understanding” about certain statements from the USA. “The inviolability of borders applies to every country.” This applies regardless of whether it is in the east or in the west. This is part of the core of “what we call Western values.” Scholz: “There can and should be no shaking about that.” NATO is the central security pillar.

A “decisive and prudent” reaction must be made to the fact that the security situation in Europe is very tense for the foreseeable future. Based on a joint threat analysis, it will be precisely determined which military efforts are necessary. It is important to stand together and act together.

Trump and his confidant, the tech billionaire Elon Musk, have recently interfered several times in the politics of European countries. Trump is calling on NATO member states to significantly increase their defense spending. Instead of the previously targeted two percent of their gross domestic product (GDP), the partner countries should invest five percent in the future, said the Republican in Mar-a-Lago in Florida. “They can all afford it.”

“I have scheduled this statement at short notice to inform you that I spoke at midday with a number of European heads of state and government as well as the President of the European Union on current events. The inviolability of borders is a fundamental principle of international law. In the In the final act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe in 1975, in the middle of the Cold War, the states of Europe and the countries of the then Eastern Bloc with the United States and the Soviet Union agreed once again on this central principle not be moved by force.

The Russian ruler violated this principle with his brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. I called this a turning point, because the war has returned to the heart of Europe. Germany has responded quickly and decisively to this change by bringing the Bundeswehr into shape, by setting up a special fund of 100 billion euros, by refocusing on alliance and national defense and by reducing the defense budget to two percent of our economic output have raised. Over the last seven years, we have more than doubled our defense budget. At the same time, we, together with a number of allies, especially the United States, support Ukraine in resisting this brutal attack by Russia in order to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity, as well as the principle of inviolability of borders.

This principle applies and it is a foundation of our peace order. In my conversations with our European partners, a certain lack of understanding has become clear when it comes to current statements from the USA. The principle of inviolability of borders applies to every country, regardless of whether it is in the east or in the west.

And every state must adhere to this, regardless of whether it is a small country or a very powerful state. It is a fundamental principle of international law and a core part of what we call Western values. There can and should be no shaking about this. NATO is the most important instrument for our defense and a central pillar of transatlantic relations. So the relationship between European countries and Canada and the United States. One thing is clear: the security situation in Europe will be very tense for the foreseeable future.

We must respond to this decisively and prudently. We will strengthen our defense capability in close coordination with our partners. There is a regulated procedure in NATO for exactly this. Based on a detailed threat analysis, the necessary military capabilities are determined very precisely and then discussed with all alliance partners. It is important that we stand together on these issues and act as one.

I made this point very clear again in my discussions with the European partners today. Many thanks!”

Note: This article is continually updated.