German Chancellor Scholz reassures commitment of continued backing to Ukraine during his final conversation with President Zelensky.
In his last call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated Germany's unwavering support for Ukraine, a day before handing over the reins to Friedrich Merz.
Scholz has been a staunch backer of Ukraine since the onset of Russia's invasion in 2022. In a move that emphasizes continuity, he reassured Zelensky that Germany would persist in its support, working closely with European partners.
The Chancellor's spokesman Steffen Hebestreit revealed that Scholz underlined Germany's solidarity with Ukraine and expressed a resolve to continue providing necessary support for as long as needed.
Germany emerged as the second-largest military ally of Ukraine after the United States, and despite its pacifist postwar ethos, shipped hefty defense equipment to Kyiv.
Zelensky Hopes for Strengthened Aid from Merz
As Scholz prepares to step down, his successor Merz has vowed to continue Germany's aid to Ukraine. Merz, who leads a coalition between his conservative CDU/CSU bloc and Scholz's center-left SPD, aspires to fortify Germany's stance in the European Union.
Like other European leaders, Merz has watched warily as U.S. President Donald Trump pressured Zelensky to agree to a swift peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move critics deem potentially detrimental to Ukraine.
In his conversation with Zelensky, Scholz slammed Putin's "deliberate roadblocks" hindering peace efforts. Scholz pointed out that Zelensky had shown willingness to accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, indicating Ukraine's quest for peace.
According to Hebestreit, Scholz called on Putin to reciprocate by embracing the truce, noting that "no one desires peace more than Ukraine."
A More Tactical German Approach under Merz
While Scholz's tenure was marked by a cautious approach, Merz aims to take a proactive stance. Merz envisions a shift towards more robust military support, potentially including the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles, and a $300 billion reparation loan funded by Russia's frozen assets to help Ukraine sustain its resistance.
This new approach signifies a departure from Scholz's balanced approach that sought to strike a delicate balance between providing aid to Ukraine and maintaining diplomatic relations with Russia while coordinating with European allies.
As Merz assumes office, he is expected to craft a more decisive strategy aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defensive capabilities, securing economic support, and playing a more influential role in Europe’s stance towards Russia's aggression.
- Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in his last call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, reaffirmed Germany's commitment to provide necessary support to Ukraine as long as needed, and urged Vladimir Putin to reciprocate with a truce, stating, "no one desires peace more than Ukraine."
- Scholz's successor, Friedrich Merz, has vowed to continue Germany's aid to Ukraine and is envisioning a shift towards more robust military support, potentially including the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles and a $300 billion reparation loan funded by Russia's frozen assets.
- Merz's approach signifies a departure from Scholz's balanced approach, as he aims to take a proactive stance, bolstering Ukraine's defensive capabilities, securing economic support, and playing a more influential role in Europe’s stance towards Russia's aggression in war-and-conflicts related politics and general news.
- Scholz, who has been a staunch backer of Ukraine since the onset of Russia's invasion in 2022, underlined Germany's solidarity with Ukraine and expressed a resolve to continue providing support, working closely with European partners against the backdrop of Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia, a major global concern.
