German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended himself against accusations that his approach to Russian aggression was hesitant and timid, insisting that his decisions were followed by close consultation with Germany’s allies and trying to avoid any suspicion that the country was “fixing itself”.
Scholz has faced fierce criticism, even from his own government, and was the target of heavy shelling last week by opposition leader Friedrich Merz, who accused him of weak leadership and “procrastination, hesitation and timidity”. On Sunday, it was reported that Merz planned to travel to Kyiv on Monday.
Scholz seems to have succumbed to huge domestic and international pressure last week, announcing that Germany would supply heavy weapons to Ukraine in the form of self-propelled anti-aircraft systems, seen as a sharp policy reversal.
But while outspoken Ukrainian ambassador to Berlin Andriy Melnik said he welcomed the move, he stepped up pressure on Scholz on Sunday, insisting it didn’t go far enough, and called for more “imagination and courage” from Germany.
Responding to criticism in an interview with the tabloid Bild am Sonntag, Scholz said: “I make my decisions quickly and together with our allies.” He said that “the hasty action and Germany will do it alone” will be viewed with suspicion.
Scholz said: “I am not scared enough to allow myself to be affected by such accusations. He insisted he would not be afraid to change his strategy from his record low popularity rating.
“You should notice public opinion polls, but you should not make your actions dependent on them. “Especially when it comes to war and peace, that would be extremely dangerous,” he said.
According to the Insa polling institute, 54% of Germans are dissatisfied with Scholz’s record.
Scholz, who has been in office for just under five months, has plunged early into tackling the dilemma facing almost every post-World War II government leader – he has to cross a thin line between Germany, which has international responsibilities and avoiding accusations both at home and abroad that his actions could drag Europe into a new war.
Melnik, himself drawn to criticism in Germany for his constant complaints about what he has repeatedly described as a lack of decisive action in the country, said Gepard’s promised anti-aircraft guns last week were insufficient and too old.
“The direction is right, but, of course, they are not enough. In particular, we lack ammunition for the Cheetahs … and they are also 40 years old. “To defeat Russia, we need the most modern German weapons,” he told Bild.
He said his criticism was directed at “the entire German political class”, accusing Germany of being “very wrapped up” and urging it to “finally realize its enormous historical responsibility”.
Melnik listed the specific weapons he said Ukraine needed from Germany to supply. “We want fast export of 88 Leopard tanks, 100 Marder armored personnel carriers, self-propelled howitzers and much more. We are experiencing the greatest war in Europe in 80 years. You can’t win with another 30 or 100 anti-aircraft systems. ”
Melnik acknowledged that Germany has accepted a large number of refugees from Ukraine, including his own mother-in-law. Officially, the figure is just under 400,000, according to German border police, although the actual number is thought to be much higher, as they are not required to register and can be in Germany without a visa for 90 days.
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“I am grateful to Germany for all the help it has provided. “But we are talking about life and death in Ukraine and the survival of my nation,” he said.
As the debate rages among German politicians as to when and whether Germany can become independent of Russian gas supplies, the DPA news agency said the government plans to support EU plans for a Russian oil embargo as part of a sixth round of sanctions to be announced. from the bloc, despite opposition from Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, Spain, Italy and Greece.
Germany has already reduced its dependence on Russian gas from 55% to 35% since the start of the war, but full independence is not expected to be achieved until 2024, said Robert Habeck, the economy minister.
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