Scholz: "The guns must be silent - immediately"

Created: 2022-03-23Updated: 2022-03-23 ​​10:08 am

Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks in the general debate in the Bundestag.

© Michael Kappeler/dpa

The war in Ukraine is the central topic in the general debate in the Bundestag.

Chancellor Scholz emphasizes Germany's solidarity with Ukraine - and urges an end to the war.

Berlin - Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has called for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine.

"The guns must be silent - and immediately," said Scholz on Wednesday in the general debate in the Bundestag in Berlin.

He has repeatedly exchanged views with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj about the next steps, and he has also often had long and intensive discussions with the Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past few days.

"Putin needs to hear the truth about the war in Ukraine," said Scholz.

“And that truth is: War is destroying Ukraine.

But with the war, Putin is also destroying Russia's future.”

Scholz assured: "We will leave no stone unturned until peace reigns on our continent again." No one can say whether the ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia will be successful.

It is clear that the Ukrainians are negotiating about Ukraine - "and no one else".

Anything Germany can do to help Ukraine find a political solution, "we will do."

Help for Ukraine

Scholz promised Germany's solidarity with Ukraine, but again drew a clear line against NATO involvement in the war with Russia.

"President Zelenskyj, Ukraine can rely on our help," said the SPD politician.

Germany has been supplying weapons and equipment since the beginning of the war, and together with its partners sanctions have been imposed that are second to none.

These had an effect and were also constantly being sharpened, said Scholz.

The Chancellor emphasized that he heard the voices of those who called for a no-fly zone or NATO peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.

But: "As difficult as it is - we will not give in." It must remain the case that there should be no direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.

"NATO will not become a party to the war," emphasized Scholz.

Bundeswehr equipment common cause

The Union faction with its chairman Friedrich Merz (CDU) promised Scholz to be involved in the discussion about decisions on better equipment for the Bundeswehr.

"It should be a common cause that we do for our country," said the SPD politician.

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After Merz had previously presented a six-point catalog with conditions for the Union faction's approval of the planned amendment to the Basic Law at the start of the debate, Scholz said it was "completely okay" for the Union to formulate its ideas.

Scholz expressly thanked Merz and the Union faction that they were willing to "follow this path".

The chancellor promised that all investments, secured in the Basic Law, would benefit alliance and defense capabilities.

Long-term planning security and reliability are created, which are necessary above all for the upcoming large-scale projects.

In addition, one keeps an eye on the sustainability of German finances, including the debt rule of the Basic Law and the Maastricht criteria.

dpa