Germany’s largest newspaper Bild claimed german chancellor Olaf Scholz had reduced the weapons planned to be sent to Ukraine. Olaf Scholz, who has been the target of criticism as the news has resonated widely in the country, has not backed down on Russian gas.
As the Ukraine war enters its eighth week, there continues to be bitter news from the region. Finally, the siege of Mariupol, a city critical enough to change the course of the war, has raised concerns, with the United States and western allies planning to increase both support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.
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Europe is considering targeting Putin with new sanctions on the energy sector, but Germany, which relies on Russia for about 55 percent of its gas, appears to be dragging on joining the sanctions.
OLAF SCHOLZ TARGETED BY CRITIC ARROWS
Germany’s chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has been the target of criticism both in his home country and in Europe for this drag.
Chancellor Scholz, who for a long time refused to send weapons to Ukraine after the war began, is now accused of reducing and delaying weapons planned to be sent to Ukraine.
THE CLAIM THAT MIXES THE COUNTRY
Bild, the country’s largest newspaper, claimed that the heavy weapons approved to be sent to Ukraine had been removed from the list by Scholz’s office, and that the approved inventory was only €307m, not €1 billion as previously promised.
The newspaper’s story resonated widely in the country, with Prime Minister Scholz taking sharp criticism from both the opposition and within his own party.
GERMANY HAS NEVER BEEN SO ISOLATED
Scholz recently refused to join the international coalition for Ukraine’s Donbas defense, saying Germany was ready to provide financial assistance but not yet ready to send tanks and armored military personnel to Kiev.
Opposition German politicians criticized Scholz’s stance, commenting that “Germany has never been so isolated and so unresponsive in any international crisis.”
RESPONDED TO CRITICISM
In an interview with Der Spigel magazine today, Chancellor Scholz responded to accusations that he was too soft on Russia.
Standing by his decision to reject sanctions against Russian gas, the German leader said banning imports from Russia would trigger a ‘dramatic economic crisis’ in Europe and put millions out of work.
Scholz said nato’s top priority is to avoid military conflicts that could lead to a ‘third world war’ or ‘nuclear conflict’.
