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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday, February 17, that regardless of who wins the next U.S. election or how the war in Ukraine turns out, Europe must strengthen its ability to defend itself and deter aggressors. said.
“We Europeans must be more concerned about our security now and in the future,” Scholz told the audience at the annual Munich Security Conference.
Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has often been criticized in the past for not spending enough on defense, but says it will meet NATO’s 2% spending target through the “2020s, 2030s and beyond”. Probably, Scholz said.
Berlin is now by far Ukraine’s main supporter of military aid in Europe, according to data from the Kiel Institute.
Germany has almost doubled its military aid to more than 7 billion euros this year, with commitments of 6 billion euros for the next few years.
Mr Scholz said: “I very much hope that a similar decision will be taken in all EU capitals, and I, together with my colleagues in other European countries, urge this very strongly here as well.” , admitted that it will not be easy for some European governments.
“Yes, money is scarce elsewhere, but let me tell you this: Without security, everything else is meaningless,” he added.
“As President Putin sends more and more troops to the front, we have to ask ourselves: Are we doing enough to show Putin that we are willing to play the long game?” Sudholz said. Asked.
He added that Germany is also in talks with NATO allies France and the United Kingdom to develop precision weapons capable of long-range strikes to ensure its deterrence strategy remains at the cutting edge.
Asked whether the government would supply Taurus missiles to Ukraine, the prime minister said Germany was taking all measures to support Ukraine’s self-defense and a decision would be taken at the appropriate time. Stated.
Speaking in Munich, Scholz hit back at comments by Donald Trump that under his president the United States would let NATO underspends fend for themselves.
“Let me be clear: any relativization of NATO’s defense provisions will only serve those who seek to undermine us. [Russia’s President Vladimir] Putin”.
According to Scholz, Russia has not achieved “any of its war goals” in Ukraine, but “despite heavy losses (…) significant parts of the Russian military are intact.”
Therefore, Germany is “determined” to continue on the path of supporting Ukraine.
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]
Read more at Euractiv
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