“Putin leaves us no choice”
Scholz announces quick end for Russian oil and gas
May 9, 2022, 4:04 p.m
A quick farewell to Russian gas without jeopardizing the security of supply: Olaf Scholz reaffirmed his course at the DGB Congress. The Chancellor also defended the arms deliveries to Ukraine, citing Putin’s ambitions.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced that the federal government not only wants to reduce imports of Russian gas and oil, but also wants to reduce them to zero as quickly as possible. At the same time, he spoke out at the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) in Berlin against an immediate stop to Russian gas imports. “It doesn’t help anyone if the lights go out here – not us and not Ukraine,” he added, referring to the serious consequences of an immediate delivery stop in the chemical, steel and metals industries. However, the replacement for Russian imports is progressing faster than some would have thought.
Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves Germany and its partners no choice but to deliver arms to Ukraine so that it can defend itself, Scholz said of the Russian attack on the neighboring country. Putin is pursuing a “revanchist project”. But peace and freedom must be defended. “You can’t have one without the other,” emphasized the Chancellor. Boundaries should not be pushed by force, otherwise you would open Pandora’s box. “Putin leaves us no other choice.” If you don’t act, you would “consolidate the aggressor’s criminal activities.”
If Putin were to succeed in using force to move borders, it would open a Pandora’s box. “Putin’s war must be stopped, only then is peace possible,” said Scholz and assured: “But one thing is also very clear: we will keep a cool head in everything we do.”
No slacking off on reforms
Despite the war in Ukraine, Scholz wants to implement the reforms announced by the federal government as planned. “We will not abandon any of our projects,” said Scholz. “We will not play off security against social peace in this country.” The new head of the DGB, Yasmin Fahimi, had previously made it clear that the unions feared that the state would limit social investments because of the planned significant increase in funds for the Bundeswehr.
Scholz assured that respect and cohesion in society remained key goals. So many apartments should finally be built in Germany again so that there is enough affordable housing. Scholz announced a strengthening of co-determination and an alliance for transformation in the Chancellery with the social partners.