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Chancellor Olaf Scholz in his government statement: "You can't negotiate with a gun on your temple"
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Michael Kappeler / dpa
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) made another government statement one year after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Scholz called on China not to supply weapons to Russia.
He also appealed to critics of Western arms deliveries to Ukraine in their own country.
Scholz urgently addressed China.
It is good that the People's Republic has spoken out against the use of nuclear weapons.
But that's not enough.
"Do not deliver weapons to the aggressor Russia," said Scholz.
Rather, Beijing must use its influence on Moscow "to urge the withdrawal of Russian troops."
In addition, Scholz confirmed the continued support of Ukraine with arms deliveries.
More Gepard anti-aircraft tanks and an Iris-T system are on the way in the coming weeks.
Work is being done to provide Ukraine with more ammunition.
The Chancellor also appealed to critics of arms deliveries in Germany.
"I assure you that the government I lead never takes decisions about arms deliveries lightly." Nevertheless, Ukraine's support is important for ending the war later.
»There is no negotiation with a gun to your temple – except about your own submission.«
Scholz promised further ongoing support for the Bundeswehr.
"We're putting an end to the neglect of the armed forces," he said.
Important procurement measures have been initiated, for example for the F-35.
Together with the Minister of Defense he is talking about "a real change of lane" in the procurement of material for the Bundeswehr.
The Federal Chancellor also highlighted the success of the energy transition away from Russian gas.
There was talk of a hot winter or a "winter of anger".
"None of that happened." They survived the winter well.
"Even without gas from Russia."
Criticism of Scholz came from CDU leader Friedrich Merz.
Scholz rightly described the Russian attack a year ago as a "turning point," said Merz.
But not enough has happened since then.
Without US support, Ukraine would have been in Russian hands by now.
"We will have to organize security in Europe against Russia for years, if not decades," said the Union faction leader.
This requires decisions, not government statements.
However, the defense budget in 2023 has decreased compared to 2022.
In his speech, Merz also addressed left-wing politician Sahra Wagenknecht without explicitly naming them.
A few days ago, a representative of the Left Group said on television that there are rapes on both sides in every war, Merz explained.
That was "cynical, inhuman, vile and shameful for our whole country".
Authoritative representatives from left and right would confuse perpetrators and victims.
“There is only one who is solely responsible for this war.
And the man's name is Vladimir Putin."
Merz also warned of the "challenge" China.
What Russia did with Nord Stream 2, the People's Republic has been doing for years with its New Silk Road.
It is an "imperial project to gain economic influence and political influence" - on a much larger scale than Russia was able to do.
A year after the »Zeitenwende« speech
About a year ago, Scholz made what is now a famous government statement – his turning point speech.
On February 27, 2022 - three days after the start of Russia's attack on Ukraine - Scholz announced a 100 billion program to upgrade the Bundeswehr in a special session of the Bundestag.
Already on the eve of his government statement at the time, the first arms deliveries to Ukraine for the defense against Russia had been decided - breaking a taboo.
»We are experiencing a turning point.
That means: The world after is no longer the same as the world before, "said Scholz at the time.
"Zeitenwende" has not only been voted word of the year 2022 in Germany, but has now also become an established term in international security policy.
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