"Putin is wrong": Scholz tries to speak clearly and stumbles at the last word - Merz tears up the Chancellor's speech

Created: 05/22/2022, 04:45 am

By: Florian Naumann

Friedrich Merz reacted with harsh criticism to Olaf Scholz' government statement.

© Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Olaf Scholz wants to explain his Ukraine policy once again - this time on the big democratic stage, in the Bundestag.

The Chancellor's speech in the live ticker.

• Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again explained his Ukraine policy in a government statement in the Bundestag.

• The chancellor attacked Vladimir Putin - Russia's president "mistaken" in hoping for a "dictated peace".

• However, Scholz faltered at the last word of his speech and received harsh criticism from the opposition

• The day remains eventful: the Bundestag debates Russia sanctions, Scholz travels to the Netherlands.

Update from May 19, 9:36 a.m .:

Olaf Scholz' government statement is over.

The chancellor did not come up with any major surprises: he defended the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine.

These are not an escalation, but help for a threatened country.

At the same time, the Chancellor referred to the unity of the EU, NATO and G7, ongoing sanctions against Russia and a necessary move away from fossil fuels.

Marginal comments were the most likely to attract attention: for example, a warning about hopes of quick EU accession for Ukraine or positive signals for French President Emmanuel Macron - Scholz indicated, for example, that he was ready to change the EU treaties;

at least if there is consensus.

The Chancellor had comparatively clear words ready for Vladimir Putin: "Putin still believes that he can bring about a dictated peace, but he is wrong," he clarified.

Ukraine must “exist”, that is the common goal.

Ukraine conflict: Scholz receives harsh criticism from Merz – "What kind of game are you actually playing?"

However, harsh criticism followed immediately.

"The truth is that almost nothing has been delivered from Germany in the past few weeks, we know it, we can see the documents," said opposition leader Friedrich Merz, referring to German arms deliveries.

Instead, Germany is offering Ukraine Cheetah tanks, which the country does not want at all and for which there is currently no ammunition.

"What kind of game are you actually playing, also with the German public?" the CDU leader attacked the chancellor.

He also calls for the resignation of Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD).

In this situation, the Union will “handle particularly carefully” with the special assets for the Bundeswehr.

There are talks as to whether they are "good", Merz wants to leave it open.

In Scholz's speech, he missed important information - such as whether Ukraine should be given the status of an EU candidate country, whether Germany wanted to give the country "security guarantees" or whether the EU should take on new debt: "Give us your opinions these key issues!” demands Merz.

Scholz holds Ukraine government statement and falters at the last word: "Peace, freedom and ... justice"

Update from May 19, 9:27 a.m .:

Scholz is now broaching one topic after the other – now it’s the turn of inflation.

"We don't leave anyone alone, that applies in particular to citizens with small and medium-sized incomes," he says, and once again addresses the two relief packages from the federal government.

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But it is also important to become independent of fossil fuels.

Europe must “move forward together”.

The EU summit at the end of June should send out signals - for the expansion of renewable energy, more energy efficiency and the "industrial transformation".

Scholz concludes that Germany will deal with the consequences of the Ukraine war.

That is possible thanks to “strong alliances and partners”, but also because the Federal Republic knows what it is defending: “peace, freedom and justice”.

The chancellor pauses briefly before the word "right" and seems to be looking for the right word in his manuscript.

However, sustained applause followed from the traffic light groups.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz in his government statement on Thursday in the Bundestag.

© Michael Kappeler/dpa

Scholz puts the brakes on Ukraine's EU membership: "There is no shortcut"

Update from May 19, 9:24 a.m .:

The Chancellor is promising Kiev help with reconstruction – but is noticeably slowing down the question of Ukraine’s EU membership.

"Emmanuel Macron is right when he points out that the accession process is not a question of a few weeks or a few months," says Scholz.

There is no shortcut on the way to the EU, the EU also owes this rule to accession candidates such as the Western Balkan countries.

Scholz is also sending a signal to these states: “The Western Balkans belong in the European Union,” he says.

Update from May 19, 9:18 a.m .:

Scholz is now promoting the Bundeswehr special fund, which is apparently on the brink.

It guarantees "the freedom and security of our country", but also sends a clear signal to "friends and allies": Germany is making an appropriate contribution, it applies "one for all, all for one".

Scholz also once again publicly welcomes Finland and Sweden's application for membership in NATO.

"I say without hesitation: Dear friends in Sweden and Finland, you are very welcome," NATO will become stronger with the two countries.

Scholz in the Bundestag: "Putin is wrong"

Update from May 19, 9.18 a.m .:

Scholz is now getting down to business: Everyone is united by one goal, says the Chancellor with a view to the EU, G7 or NATO: “Russia must not win this war, Ukraine must exist”, applause breaks out.

"For some, our support does not go far enough, for others it goes much too far." Helping a country that has been brutally attacked to defend itself is not escalation.

"Putin still believes he can bring about a dictated peace, but he's wrong," Scholz continues.

Ukraine will not accept that, "and neither will we".

Germany is backing Ukraine “in a considered, balanced and internationally coordinated manner,” explains Scholz.

He once again emphasizes his already known guidelines: "We are not doing anything that would turn NATO into a war party," he says, among other things, but also points out that sanctions must always harm Russia more than "ourselves".

Putin still believes he can bring about a dictated peace, but he is wrong!

Chancellor Olaf Scholz in his government statement

Update from May 19, 9:12 a.m .:

The Chancellor emphasizes that the EU should also develop further, for example through the possibility of majority decisions in the Council.

There is increasing popularity for this, says Scholz.

"If the matter requires it, we can talk about changing the treaties," he says;

What is important, however, is consensus - the EU cannot use any complex "navel-gazing" at the moment.

Update from May 19, 9:10 a.m .:

Scholz addressed words of thanks to Emmanuel Macron, who made the first trip to Berlin after his re-election.

Germany and France have the task of finding solutions for the future "that will work for all member states": "The turning point requires that we in Europe also think beyond the day."

Scholz holds Ukraine government statement: Chancellor once again explains the "turn of the era" - now LIVE

Update from May 19, 9:05 a.m .:

"When you look at the ruins of Mariupol, Chernihiv or Kharkiv," says Scholz and gets confused briefly;

but also when you look at the atrocities in Bucha, for example, you realize that war in Europe has not become unimaginable.

"That's the lesson we're learning from Russia's brutal attack on Ukraine, that's the turning point I spoke about here in this House at the end of February."

Update from May 19, 9:01 a.m .:

Olaf Scholz' crisis communication was recently heavily criticized.

After a TV interview at the beginning of the week, the chancellor now wants to specifically address the members of the Bundestag again - with a government statement on the Ukraine special summit of the EU at the end of May.

But it will take a few more minutes to get there.

Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) has already opened the session, but is still reading out birthday wishes and personal details.

Scholz' holds Ukraine government statement: Appointment in the Bundestag - from 9 a.m. LIVE

Preliminary report:

Berlin – Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) makes a government statement in the Bundestag at 9 a.m.

The reason for the 20-minute statement is the EU special summit, which is to be held in Brussels at the end of May to deal with the current situation surrounding Russia's war in Ukraine.

The Chancellor's appearance will be followed by a one and a half hour debate in the plenum.

In the Bundestag session, which is scheduled for more than 14 hours, important legislative decisions are also pending - such as the extensive suspension of Hartz IV sanctions for a year (debate from 3.20 p.m.), the payment of a new pandemic bonus to staff in hospitals and care facilities (4.50 p.m.) and a law to strengthen sanctions against members of the Russian elite (6.20 p.m.).

Olaf Scholz and the Ukraine conflict: Chancellor first holds government statement - Holland trip follows

For Scholz, it's not the only major appointment of the day: the Chancellor is also traveling to the Netherlands on Thursday.

According to the federal government, a meeting with the Dutch King Willem-Alexander and a subsequent dinner with Prime Minister Mark Rutte are planned.

Topics of conversation include the energy supply in the light of the Ukraine war and the clashes with Russia - as well as a German-Dutch support mission for Ukraine with self-propelled howitzers in 2000. (AFP / fn)