Responsibility of Germany is to ensure that the war between Russia and Ukraine does not turn into a war between Russia and NATO, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, repeating his “nain“ (“no“) about sending long-range weapons to Kiev, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
„I don't think it's an appropriate delivery – and it will stay that way," Scholz said yesterday after the European Union summit in Brussels. He rejected key points of the “plan for victory” of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky due to fears of future escalation.
Zelensky presented his “plan for victory” at the meeting and once again called on Scholz to send him "Taurus" cruise missiles. (Taurus). The Ukrainian leader believes that a deterrent missile arsenal can force Russia to start peace talks.
Scholz also maintains his position against a quick invitation for Ukraine to join NATO, as outlined in Zelensky's plan. The US also opposes the rapid entry of Ukraine into NATO.
The chancellor referred to resolutions from the latest NATO summit in Washington, which offered Ukraine a general reassurance that it could no longer be stopped on its way to a defense alliance, but said all allies must be united, that NATO's conditions for granting an invitation have been met. These include reforms in the economy and the security sector, as well as strengthening democracy.
Scholz used the occasion to criticize his main opponent in the Bundestag – Christian Democrat leader Friedrich Merz. Scholz complained that Mertz was inconsistent in his stance on the Taurus supply, having initially opposed it before a key election in East Germany and then changed his mind.