Olaf Scholz has said diplomatic efforts must be considered in order to bring peace between Moscow and Kiev
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed hope that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will end in 2025, although he added that it’s not yet clear if this is possible. He claimed that all options to reach peace, including diplomatic means, must be considered.
Speaking at a campaign event in Wolfsburg on Friday, Scholz also claimed that Germany is trying to prevent the conflict from broadening, saying that “every effort is made to ensure that this war… does not become a war between Russia and NATO.” He added that he disagrees with the idea of sending Ukraine long-range missiles that can strike deep inside Russia, claiming these “do not contribute to being a peacekeeping measure from Germany now.” Scholz stated that his country is doing its best to supply Kiev with arms but he “won’t do everything that anyone suggests” and will continue to conduct an independent policy in this regard.
However, the chancellor underlined that any decisions on peace must not be made “above the heads of the Ukrainians…above the heads of the Europeans.” He went on to point out that Germany is the biggest supporter of Ukraine in Europe and second largest in the world.
Scholz, however, was criticized earlier this week by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock for expressing his opposition to an extra €3 billion aid package for Kiev. Baerbock claimed that such decisions contradict “taking real responsibility for securing Europe’s peace and freedom” and prioritize “a national perspective” instead. Scholz had demanded that the aid be funded through additional debt rather than cuts to social spending.
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The spat comes ahead of the snap elections slated for February triggered by a vote of confidence that Scholz initiated back in December but lost. The coalition government formed by his Social Democratic Party and the Greens has long been divided over economic policy and budgetary issues disputes, including about the extent of financial and military aid to Kiev.
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has on numerous occasions expressed his frustration with Scholz for what he believes is the latter’s indecisiveness in sending more weapons to Ukraine. Russia, meanwhile, has consistently expressed strong opposition to Western arms supplies to Kiev. Back in June, President Vladimir Putin called such actions a “serious and dangerous step” that only exacerbates the conflict.
