The war in Ukraine worries many people – Chancellor Scholz tries to address it in a civil dialogue. He defends the sanctions and rejects a demand from Eastern Europe.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has classified the international sanctions against Russia as “very effective”. “No country has any prospects if it is cut off from economic progress,” said the SPD politician on Thursday evening in a citizens’ dialogue in Magdeburg. At the same time, he confirmed further German support for Ukraine, which had been invaded by Russia, including through further arms deliveries.
Regarding the concerns expressed by citizens at the event about the consequences of the sanctions for Germany, Scholz said that he could understand such concerns. However, the government has introduced a series of measures to ensure the energy supply.
He referred to the planned or under construction liquefied gas terminals on the coasts and the filling of the gas storage facilities, “which are already at over 80 percent”. In addition, coal-fired power plants would be used again and “we are checking whether it makes sense for the remaining three nuclear power plants to suck up the remaining power they have.”
The Chancellor also rejected criticism of the arms deliveries to Ukraine. “The war of aggression that Russia, that Putin started, is a violation of all the principles that we had agreed on,” he said. “Borders should not be moved by force” and “we want to do everything so that Ukraine can defend its independence and sovereignty” and be able “to repel this imperialist attack”.
However, he will continue to make sure “to prevent the war from escalating,” assured Scholz. However, it is unacceptable for a country to “ambush its neighbors”. The sanctions should help end this war. Scholz again rejected a general visa stop for Russians. He turned against claims from several Eastern European countries.
Scholz assured that pensioners should also be taken into account in the planned new relief package. “The relief measures will clearly also be about the pensioners, that’s for sure for me,” said Scholz. The government is “really working day and night” to ensure that “everyone finds themselves again” in the package of measures.