In the debate about a Defense budget increase the draft avoids a reference to the NATO states’ self-commitment to spend two percent of their economic output on security. Instead, it says you should “further advance the modernization of the Bundeswehr with the aim of having a fully equipped and fully operational armed forces, Close existing capability gaps immediately and provide the necessary financial resources for this in a timely and long-term manner”. Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht had previously called for higher defense spending. Scholz and SPD co-boss Lars Klingbeil were open to this, as was Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP).
The factions accuse the Russian leadership of “with this wanton, baseless and inexcusable attack … to destroy the European peace order”. It is a historical caesura. “The international community will stand together resolutely. The Russian leadership will have to pay a high price for this,” the draft reads.