Scholz addresses the Ukraine government on ZDF - and finds Schröder's behavior "unacceptable"

Created: 05/03/2022Updated: 05/03/2022 10:05 am

By: Linus Prien, Patrick Mayer

Chancellor Scholz comments on ZDF about his course in Ukraine politics.

The German head of government explains why he is not traveling to Kyiv.

• Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks about his Ukraine policy on ZDF on May 2nd.

• Scholz criticizes his predecessor and Putin friend Gerhard Schröder in the show "What Now...?"

• The German head of government defends his policy in the Russia-Ukraine war.

• This

  news ticker about the Chancellor's appearance on ZDF

  is continuously updated.

Update from May 2, 7:50 p.m

.: “The Russian President has informed us that he doesn’t care about the rules.

That he will ignore it when he feels powerful enough," Chancellor Scholz continued on ZDF.

Regarding the announced special fund for the Bundeswehr, he says: "Every day that I deal with the Bundeswehr and how it is equipped shows me that it is the right thing to do.

The Bundeswehr needs more money.”

He “told him” that opposition leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) wanted to travel to Ukraine, says Scholz: “I approve of that.” He is asked why he is not traveling to Kyiv himself to show his solidarity on site.

He justified his decision with the fact that Ukraine had recently uninvited Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

“The fact that the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, who was elected for a second term with a large majority of the Federal Assembly, was disinvited” is “contrary to this.

You can't do that."

"Then they say the President can't come," while Germany is delivering weapons at the same time.

Ukraine News: Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) criticizes former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD)

Update from May 2, 7.40 p.m

.: Prime Minister Scholz talks about energy embargoes against Russia.

He explains how Germany wants to make itself independent of gas supplies.

"I am convinced that some will still look around to see how quickly this can be done," he says.

With a view to former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD), the traffic light head of government explains: “We live in a free country.

And the Chancellor cannot give orders to his predecessor.” Scholz puts it into perspective: “But you have an obligation, it is a great honor to be Chancellor.” He therefore calls Schröder’s behavior “unacceptable.

I think he should give up his posts there."

Schröder is considered a Russian gas lobbyist and a friend of Moscow ruler Putin.

Ukraine News: Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) does not want a confrontation between Russia and NATO

Update from May 2nd, 7:35 p.m

.: “Nato and Germany will not be involved in this war,” says Chancellor Scholz on ZDF.

No-fly zones would mean direct participation in the war by NATO, the German head of government explains his Ukraine policy: "A direct confrontation between NATO and Russia will be avoided."

What is the aim of the measures?

"Our goal is for Russia to end the war and withdraw its soldiers from Ukraine.

Russia must not win, and Ukraine must not lose," says Scholz, and warns: "Russia is a highly armed military power."

Referring to Russia's ruler Vladimir Putin, he says: "He didn't think that Ukraine would put up such resistance and that we would support them in such a way that they could defend themselves."

Scholz demands from Putin: “He has to come to an agreement with Ukraine, and he will not do that with a dictated peace.

Nor will we accept that Crimea has been annexed.”

Federal Chancellor: Olaf Scholz from the SPD.

© IMAGO / Panama Pictures

Ukraine News: Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) defends his policy

Update from May 2, 7:25 p.m

.: Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) speaks in the recorded ZDF program “What now...?.

"Of course the Ukrainians are fighting for their right to state authority and democracy," he says and explains: "Anyone who attacks NATO territory must expect that we will all defend every inch of this area together."

Germany would support Ukraine “with great intensity”.

He talks about the ring exchange with Slovakia, for example.

The Federal Republic provides "support by enabling these countries to defend themselves with Western European technology".

Delivering the Gepard anti-aircraft tanks was a "necessary decision in view of the development".

"My course is that we act prudently and with a clear mind," continued the Chancellor.

He swore an oath of office "that we will secure the peace and at the same time protect our country".

First report from May 2nd:

Berlin – After a lot of criticism, Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to explain his course on the escalated Ukraine conflict again in detail.

As reported by ZDF, the SPD politician is a guest on Monday evening at 7.20 p.m. on the program "What now,...?"

Ukraine News: Scholz announced that he would continue to support Ukraine

Scholz made it clear over the weekend that he was sticking to his course despite allegations from the opposition.

"I make my decisions quickly - and in concert with our allies.

I'm suspicious of hasty action and German going it alone," he told

.

At a May rally, Scholz emphasized: "We will continue to support Ukraine, with money, with humanitarian aid, but it also has to be said: we will support them so that they can defend themselves with arms deliveries, like many other countries in Europe." do that too.”

Ukraine war: After great pressure, Scholz wants to deliver heavy weapons

Last week, the federal government around Olaf Scholz decided to supply heavy weapons to Ukraine amid Russian ruler Vladimir Putin's war of aggression.

However, this decision was only taken after great pressure was put on the Chancellor.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz demanded a government statement from the chancellor before agreeing to deliver heavy weapons to Ukraine.

Criticism from the FDP defense expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann and the Greens politician Anton Hofreiter also came from the traffic light coalition.

Ukraine war: Celebrities criticize Scholz in an open letter

In an open letter to Olaf Scholz, 28 celebrities appealed not to deliver heavy weapons to Ukraine.

The signers included the author Alexander Kluge, the legal philosopher Reinhard Merkel, the singer Reinhard Mey, the cabaret artists Gerhard Polt and Dieter Nuhr, the actors Lars Eidinger and Edgar Selge and the writer Juli Zeh.

The letter said: "We therefore hope that you will remember your original position and will not, directly or indirectly, supply additional heavy weapons to Ukraine.

On the contrary, we urge you to do everything you can to ensure that a ceasefire can be reached as soon as possible;

to a compromise that both sides can accept." According to the authors, one should not support Ukraine with heavy weapons,