Olaf Scholz (SPD) has threatened Russia with further EU sanctions. The German chancellor said he hoped the message had got through to Moscow about how isolated Russian President Vladimir Putin had become in the world with “his massive superpower mania”. “None of Putin’s plans succeeded,” Scholz stressed.
“We will maintain and tighten sanctions against Russia as long as Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin continues his ruthless war of aggression,” Scholz said in a government statement in the Bundestag on Wednesday. Sanction pressure on Russia will be stepped up and Ukraine will continue to receive resolute support.
Putin had “fundamentally misjudged”. The G20 meeting in Indonesia has already demonstrated Russia’s isolation. He also agreed with Chinese President Xi Jinping that even threatening to use nuclear weapons is impermissible and that using nuclear weapons would cross a red line.
EU freezes funds for Hungary
Scholz also accused Russia of a “vicious form of warfare” because of its targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure such as electricity and water supplies. At the same time, he emphasized the unity of the West and the EU in supporting Ukraine. “Anyone who believes that they can play off the EU’s fundamental values, to which all member states have committed themselves, against the Union’s ability to act in foreign and security policy will fail,” he said, also referring to Hungary. The EU country had temporarily blocked the payment of an €18 billion loan to Ukraine over the rule of law dispute with the EU commission.
German alliance solidarity
With regard to the war in Ukraine, Scholz emphasized the unconditional solidarity of the German alliance. “Our alliance partners know very well: they can count on us. You know: if necessary, we will defend every square meter of Allied territory.’ He referred, among other things, to the special fund of 100 billion for better equipment for the Bundeswehr.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
