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Scholz during his speech at the Hamburg Überseeclub
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Chris Emil Janssen / IMAGO
At an event organized by the Übersee-Club Hamburg, Olaf Scholz once again emphasized the federal government's solidarity with Ukraine.
"We provide Ukraine with any support that we can give and at the same time take responsibility for," said the Chancellor - including with weapons, so that Ukraine can defend itself.
»Against the background of our German history, this is anything but self-evident on the one hand – but it is also logical on the other.«
"Russia's aggression against Ukraine is the greatest catastrophe of our time," said Scholz.
»The world after this war of aggression and annihilation will not be the same as before.
It's already no longer the case.« Because »Russia's cruel war of aggression and annihilation« marks a radical break with the European peace order after the end of the Cold War.
At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin “and his regime” would also “break with civilisation”.
It is about "a willful exit from the world community that only a few in the 21st century thought possible".
"Putin must not win this criminal war of aggression against Ukraine - and he will not win this war either," emphasized Scholz.
»If Putin gets away with it, then there is a risk of international rulelessness.
For that reason alone, Russia must not have the upper hand.«
Scholz pointed out that "a great many clever minds" would have considered such an escalation impossible because of the close international ties after 1989.
»From a rational point of view, the close interdependence of national economies has long since made armed conflicts so expensive that no actor should think of resorting to this method.«
At the same time, the chancellor warned against using the war as an opportunity to reverse globalization and isolate oneself.
Germany is benefiting from globalization: "Trade creates jobs," including here in Germany.
"That's why I say with all clarity: 'deglobalization' doesn't work," Scholz warned of "new isolation" and "new protectionism".
as /AFP