Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has pledged all support for Ukraine’s negotiations with Moscow to end the Russian war in the country. The federal government is doing everything to ensure that the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have a chance, Scholz said on Wednesday evening before a meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin in Berlin. At the same time, he again called on Russian President Vladimir Putin: “End this war immediately.”
The federal government is talking to the warring parties and is also making it clear to Putin what the positions of Germany, the European Union and NATO are, said Scholz. “This serves to support Ukraine’s options for action in these negotiations.” At the same time, the Chancellor emphasized: “But it is Ukraine that has to decide which result it wants to accept or not. It’s not our business or anyone else’s.” It’s about Ukraine’s sovereignty. You always have to keep this in mind “when we are helpful. And we are helpful on the side of Ukraine.”
The reality of the Russian attack can still be observed in Ukraine, said Scholz. “The war is progressing and Russia is pushing its military invasion every day. With all the terrible losses in terms of human life.” In addition to women, men and children, an unbelievable number of soldiers died, including Russian ones. “It really is a terrible war that must be ended immediately,” emphasized Scholz.
Marin expressed reservations when asked whether her country was striving to join NATO quickly. According to the official translation, there will be a political discussion in her country in the spring as to whether or not Finland is asking to join NATO in view of the changed security environment. This question should be decided by as wide a consensus as possible.