"Putin only reacts to pressure": Hofreiter demands Scholz's announcement on a trip to Ukraine

Created: 06/16/2022, 09:02

By: Jens Kiffmeier

Fast delivery of arms and rapid EU accession: before the trip to Kyiv, Chancellor-critic Hofreiter at IPPEN.MEDIA demands from Scholz a commitment to tough action against Putin.

Berlin/Kyiv – More weapons and a clear perspective: Shortly before Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) travels to Kyiv, the Greens are insisting on massive support for Ukraine.

The chairman of the Europe Committee in the Bundestag, Anton Hofreiter, spoke out in favor of quickly connecting the crisis country to the European Union (EU).

"Putin and the regime in Russia have so far only reacted to hard pressure - and not to giving in," said the Green politician in an interview with

.

It is therefore extremely important that Scholz make it clear in Kyiv that Ukraine's path will lead to the EU.

He did not share fears that this could lead to further escalations in Russia.

War in Ukraine: Before the trip to Kyiv, Anton Hofreiter (Greens) demands a clear position from Chancellor Scholz

Scholz plans to visit Kyiv on Thursday.

The meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not been officially confirmed – for security reasons.

According to consistent media reports, however, it is planned that the German Chancellor will travel with French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

It is expected that, in addition to further commitments to European arms deliveries, Ukraine's desire to join the EU will also be discussed.

Expected Chancellor Scholz to take a tough stance on Putin in the Ukraine war: Green politician Anton Hofreiter.

© Britta Pedersen/dpa

Shortly after the start of the Ukraine war ordered by Russia's president, Ukraine submitted an application to Brussels.

The EU Commission is currently examining whether the Eastern European country can be granted candidate status.

At the end of June, the heads of state and government of the EU are to discuss how to proceed.

War in Ukraine: Rapid delivery of arms and rapid EU accession - Hofreiter warns of the expansion of the conflict by Putin

Hofreiter welcomed this development.

"I do believe that the envisaged accession can at least make a small contribution to shortening the conflict," he told

.

The past has shown that being overly lenient with Russia has done no good and rather encouraged Putin to attack Ukraine.

"I am therefore very concerned that Russia could go ahead and cause trouble in the Republic of Moldova," the Green politician warned of a further escalation of the Ukraine conflict.

Marder tanks for the Ukraine: Green politicians call for quick export permits for Rheinmetall

Against this background, the member of the Bundestag is pushing for an unequivocally tougher approach towards Russia.

In addition to the prospect of accession, the EU states would have to organize many more arms deliveries.

According to him, in addition to armored vehicles and heavy artillery, Ukraine also needs more ammunition.

In doing so, Hofreiter also held the German government responsible, which has so far been too slow in granting the relevant permits for arms exports.

As an example, he cited the decommissioned Marder tanks, which had been made operational again by the Rheinmetall armaments group, but had not yet been approved for export.

"We have to get faster," said Hofreiter.

also read

Putin's "Hunger Plan" in Three Acts: Historian Declares Next "Stage of War" and Predicts Unrest

According to Melnyk's statement: Ukrainian ambassador receives objection

In the past few weeks, Hofreiter had attracted attention as a critic of Chancellor Scholz.

After Germany fell out of favor with the Ukrainian government for a hesitant attitude on the issue of arms deliveries, the Greens politician identified the German head of government as the culprit.

The problem, Hofreiter criticized, "lies in the chancellery".

As a result, there was a kind of diplomatic ice age between Berlin and Kyiv.

About IPPEN.MEDIA

The IPPEN.MEDIA network is one of the largest online publishers in Germany.

At the locations in Berlin, Hamburg/Bremen, Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart and Vienna, journalists from our central editorial office research and publish for more than 50 news offers.

These include brands such as Merkur.de, FR.de and kreiszeitung.de.

Our news, interviews, analyzes and comments reach more than 5 million people in Germany every day.

The chancellor's trip is now being eagerly awaited because of these discordant tones.

Hofreiter did not want to repeat his criticism of the chancellor in concrete terms.

Nevertheless, he expects a clear speech from Olaf Scholz.

Scholz himself always said that he would not go to Ukraine for a photo shoot, but only if there was something specific to discuss, Hofreiter recalled.

"I firmly assume that the chancellor will keep his own promises," said Hofreiter.

War in Ukraine: Many discords overshadow Scholz's meeting with Selenskyj

The Green politician is thus in line with Ukraine.

President Zelenskyj had already formulated his expectations for the meeting with the German Chancellor on Tuesday - Scholz must therefore clarify specific questions with Zelenskyj.

The head of state criticized that arms deliveries from Germany were far too low compared to other countries.

The German government must finally keep concrete promises.

“Say what you want and how you want it, but help us,” demanded Zelenskyj in an interview with Die

.

On Wednesday he then followed up again and in a video speech in front of the Czech parliament campaigned for admission as a candidate for EU membership.

According to Zelenskyy, this would prove that Europe is a real community and that European values ​​mean more than just empty phrases.