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Chancellor Olaf Scholz in his government statement
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Michael Kappeler / picture alliance / dpa
For Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a partnership with Russia is "inconceivable in the foreseeable future" because of the invasion of Ukraine.
That's what the SPD politician said in his government statement.
In view of the Russian war of aggression, he expects a signal of cohesion and determination from the NATO summit in Madrid.
"A partnership with Russia, such as the strategic concept of 2010 stated as a goal, is unimaginable for the foreseeable future with Putin's aggressive, imperialist Russia," said Scholz.
At the same time, the Chancellor warned against drawing the wrong conclusions.
"It would be unwise for us to denounce the NATO-Russia Founding Act," he said.
That would only play into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his propaganda.
The founding act reaffirms the very principles that Putin so blatantly violates: renouncing violence, respecting borders, the sovereignty of independent states.
Putin should be reminded of this again and again.
In the NATO-Russia Founding Act of 1997, NATO also undertook to refrain from permanently stationing "substantial combat troops" in the eastern alliance area.
Against the background of the dispute between Russia and Lithuania over the Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad, Scholz assured the eastern NATO partners of Germany's full alliance solidarity.
"We will defend every square meter of Alliance territory," he promised.
From their own history, the Germans know what they owe this promise, said Scholz.
"And that's why our NATO partners in Eastern Europe can rely on Germany today.
With this commitment we are going to the NATO summit next week.« Because other allies would also commit themselves to joint responsibility for security with very specific contributions, he was firmly convinced: »The NATO summit will send out a signal of cohesion and determination.«
Scholz: Support for Ukraine "until Putin finally recognizes his colossal misjudgment"
According to Scholz, Germany and the West must prepare themselves for a long conflict with Russia and a protracted reconstruction of Ukraine.
One must talk about what a "Marshall Plan for Ukraine" looks like.
It must be clarified which investments will advance Ukraine the fastest on its European path.
He announced that he would convene a high-level international expert conference.
Scholz reiterated a tough stance on Russia, which attacked Ukraine on February 24.
"It is all the more important that we stay on course: with our sanctions, with the internationally coordinated arms deliveries, with our financial support for Ukraine," he warned.
"Until Putin finally realizes his colossal misjudgment." He confirmed that the German tank howitzers 2000 were now in Ukraine.
Ukraine will get the weapons it needs to defend against Russia.
At the same time, however, poorer countries must be helped to cope with the rise in energy and food prices.
Otherwise China and Russia would take advantage of this.
The world's democracies must stand together not only against Russian imperialism, but also in the fight against hunger and poverty.
Chancellor promotes a "closed yes" to EU candidate status for Ukraine
Scholz urged broad support for officially declaring Ukraine a candidate for EU membership.
He will do everything in his power to ensure that the entire EU with its 27 member states say "yes" to this.
The Ukrainians also know that the path to the EU is full of prerequisites.
But they want to go now because they expect less corruption and influence of oligarchs as well as more rule of law, transparency, democracy and a stronger economy.
as /dpa/Reuters/AFP