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Chancellor Scholz at the cabinet meeting on July 13
Photo: FILIP SINGER / EPA
Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls for greater unity among the EU states in clear terms.
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine not only brought destruction to its cities, but "also reduced the European and international peace order of the past decades to rubble," wrote Scholz in a guest article for the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung".
According to Scholz, the EU has so far reacted to the "neo-imperialism" of Russian President Vladimir Putin with "unprecedented determination and unity".
"But we must not stop there." The EU must also come to an agreement in other fields.
»For me that means: No more selfish blockades of European decisions by individual member states.
No more national solo efforts that damage Europe as a whole,” wrote Scholz.
"We simply can no longer afford national vetoes, for example in foreign policy, if we want to continue to be heard in a world of competing great powers."
The Chancellor sees Germany in a leading role: "We are very aware of the consequences of our decision for a geopolitical European Union," the article says.
"The European Union is the living antithesis of imperialism and autocracy," said Scholz.
The EU must therefore become a "geopolitical EU" - and building on this, Germany will assume responsibility for Europe and the world.
"Leading can only mean: bringing together, in both senses of the word," wrote the SPD politician.
This means that you have to work out solutions together with others and refrain from going it alone.
»And by bringing together East and West, North and South in Europe, as a country in the middle of Europe, as a country that lay on both sides of the Iron Curtain.«
Scholz announced advances in migration policy, in building a European defense, in technological sovereignty and democratic resilience: "Germany will make concrete proposals in the coming months."
At the same time, the chancellor prepared the Germans for prolonged sanctions against Russia and for austerity.
In any case, Putin must be stopped with his "neo-colonial" course.
“This road is not easy, not even for a strong, prosperous country like ours.
We will need staying power,” said Scholz.
Many citizens are already suffering from the effects of the war, above all from the high prices for petrol and food.
That is why the government decided on two relief packages totaling 30 billion euros.
"But the truth is that the global economy is facing a challenge that has not been seen for decades," the article says.
Supply chains are broken, raw materials are scarce and there is war-related uncertainty in the energy markets.
All of this drives up prices worldwide.
No country in the world can stand alone against such a development.
"We have to stick together and join hands," Scholz demanded, referring to the government's so-called "concerted action" with trade unions, employers and scientists.
It was clear to the government from the start that the sanctions might have to be maintained for a long time.
Putin must be clear that in the case of a Russian dictated peace not a single sanction will be lifted, wrote Scholz about the six sanctions packages so far.
This not only shows solidarity with the “existence threatened Ukraine”, but also provides for one’s own protection.
"If we don't counter Putin's aggression now, then he could continue," warned the chancellor, pointing out that NATO can no longer rule out the possibility of a Russian attack on alliance territory.
“Letting Putin get away with it would mean that violence can break the law with virtually no consequences.
Then ultimately our own freedom and security would also be in danger.«
fdi/Reuters