DAccording to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), the votes in the occupied areas of Ukraine make no difference for Germany. “We will not accept the results of these sham referendums and will continue to support Ukraine with undiminished strength,” Scholz told the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung on Wednesday. In Ukraine, in the four Russian-occupied areas of Cherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhia, mock referendums were held on accession to Russia.
With a view to the partial mobilization of Russian reservists ordered by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, Scholz said: “Putin is lining up mistakes after mistakes”. The action was an “act of desperation and a somewhat panicky reaction to the failures of the Russian armed forces in eastern Ukraine”. The Russian President “could end this war immediately by withdrawing his troops and then engaging in talks with Kyiv”.
“Germany supports Ukraine to the best of its ability”
In the debate about arms deliveries, Scholz stuck to his stance that Ukraine would receive Soviet-made battle tanks and armored personnel carriers from other NATO countries, the stocks of which would then be gradually replenished with Western equipment from Germany, among others, in the so-called ring exchange. “Germany is supporting Ukraine to the best of its ability and at the same time doing everything possible to prevent a direct conflict between NATO and Russia,” said the Chancellor. This also corresponds to the wish of the majority of the citizens. The debate “completely ignores the fact that with our ring exchange we are also enabling the delivery of more than 100 battle tanks and armored personnel carriers to Ukraine,” said the Chancellor.
Partners such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Romania and Greece are giving tanks from Eastern European production to the Ukraine, where they can be used immediately because logistics, ammunition, spare parts and the necessary know-how are available. He is therefore surprised “that some critics act as if we would only supply helmets”. The self-propelled howitzers, multiple rocket launchers and anti-aircraft tanks of the Gepard type that have already been delivered have already made “a very important contribution to the success of the Ukrainian armed forces in the east of the country”.
Regarding the question of supplying his own battle tanks, the chancellor said: “The attitude of the federal government is clear: no going it alone; and it will stay that way.” However, the situation in Ukraine is “very dynamic and we are constantly reassessing the situation”.
Scholz warned Putin against using nuclear bombs. When asked if Putin could carry out his threats, the chancellor said: “Who knows? Like US President Joe Biden, however, I want to say quite clearly to Russia: Leave it alone!”