“Make decisions quickly”
Scholz defends his Ukraine course
05/01/2022 05:46 am
Chancellor Scholz has had to take a lot of criticism for his cautious course in dealing with the war against Ukraine. Harsh words and lousy poll numbers don’t seem to impress him. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Baerbock has made it clear that she sees no solution in calling for peace at any price.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz defends his Ukraine policy against accusations that he is acting too hesitantly and fearfully in the face of Russian aggression. “I make my decisions quickly – and in coordination with our allies. I am suspicious of hasty action and German going it alone,” said the SPD politician to “Bild am Sonntag”.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz accused the chancellor of being anxious and procrastinating about German arms deliveries to Kyiv this week. The Ukrainian ambassador Andriy Melnyk also called Scholz’s policy sluggish. “Olaf Scholz is probably doing it like Angela Merkel: just wait, watch and decide later – or not. What’s missing is imagination and courage,” he told “Bild am Sonntag” with a view to the German reaction to the invasion of the Russian army.
After the report, Scholz made it clear that he wanted to stick to his course. “I’m not scared enough to be impressed by such allegations,” he said. At the same time, he emphasized that harsh criticism of his decisions was legitimate. “In a democracy, it’s part of the opposition being tough on you. That’s what they’re there for.”
Majority dissatisfied with Scholz
On Tuesday, the federal government approved the delivery of Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to the German armaments industry. They are the first heavy weapons to be delivered directly from Germany to Ukraine. Before the Ukraine war, the principle applied was not to hand over weapons to crisis areas. During a subsequent visit to Japan, Scholz did not answer the question of whether the federal government would also approve the delivery of Leopard main battle tanks, Marder infantry fighting vehicles or self-propelled howitzers requested by Ukraine.
Even his personal survey crash in popularity with the citizens does not make Scholz rethink: “You should take note of surveys, but you must not make your actions dependent on them. That would be extremely dangerous, especially in questions of war and peace.” According to a representative Insa survey for “BamS”, a majority of 54 percent of citizens are dissatisfied with Scholz’s work. That’s a record since he was sworn in and the first time more than half are dissatisfied.
Baerbock: Ceasefire only the first step
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told “BamS” that the withdrawal of all Russian soldiers from Ukraine is a prerequisite for lasting peace in Europe and an end to sanctions against Russia. “A ceasefire can only be a first step.” “We must help Ukraine to be strong enough to make its own decisions,” said the minister. “No one has the right to dictate to them.”
The aim of Germany and Europe in the Ukraine war is peace. But it is about more than the absence of war. Rather, it is about the security of living in freedom. “But the peace order that we knew in Europe was irrevocably smashed by Putin. As much as we might wish, there is no way back to the time before February 24. We can never again rely on Putin’s promises alone. “