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Chancellor Scholz (in May in Berlin): "We will continue to support Ukraine with undiminished strength"
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Sean Gallup/Getty Images
After the conclusion of mock referendums in several Ukrainian regions, the Russian occupiers presented an alleged overwhelming approval of the population there for annexation to Russia.
After counting all the votes, more than 98 percent of voters approved in Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, more than 93 percent in Zaporizhia in the south and more than 87 percent in Cherson, also in the south, the occupation administrations said on Tuesday evening.
In Donetsk, the evaluation of the vote, which violated international law, was not yet complete, but according to preliminary information, the approval rating was already given as almost 95 percent.
Thus, an unprecedented annexation of the territories is likely to begin in the coming days.
The mock referendums are not recognized worldwide because they are held in violation of Ukrainian and international laws and without minimum democratic standards.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has now also commented on this: According to him, the votes in the occupied territories of Ukraine make no difference for Germany.
"We will not accept the results of these sham referendums and will continue to support Ukraine with undiminished strength," Scholz told the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung.
Scholz
warns Russia against using nuclear bombs: "Leave it alone!"
With regard to the mobilization of Russian reservists ordered by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, Scholz spoke of an "act of desperation" and of a "somewhat panicky reaction to the failures of the Russian armed forces in eastern Ukraine".
This caused considerable unrest in Russia.
"Putin makes mistakes after mistakes," said Scholz.
The Russian president "could end this war immediately by withdrawing his troops and then engaging in talks with Kyiv."
Scholz also warned Putin against using nuclear bombs.
When asked if Putin could carry out his threats, the chancellor said: "Who knows?
Like US President Joe Biden, however, I want to say quite clearly to Russia: Let it be!«
In the debate about arms deliveries, Scholz stuck to his stance: Ukraine would receive ready-to-use combat and armored personnel carriers of Soviet design from other NATO countries, the stocks of which would then be gradually replenished with Western equipment in the so-called ring exchange, including Germany.
"Germany is supporting Ukraine to the best of its ability and at the same time doing everything possible to prevent a direct conflict between NATO and Russia," said the Chancellor.
This also corresponds to the wishes of the majority of citizens.
aar/dpa