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POLITICS

Scholz sees ‘progress’ in diplomatic efforts to ease Ukraine crisis

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday a recent flurry of diplomatic efforts marked "progress" in helping to stop Russia from invading Ukraine, as he voiced confidence that war on the continent could be averted.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks in Berlin on Wednesday
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks in Berlin on Wednesday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/Getty Images Europe/Pool | Michele Tantussi

“The task is that we ensure the security in Europe, and I believe that that will be achieved,” he told journalists at a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Compared to some weeks back, “much has happened,” said Scholz, underlining recent talks undertaken by Western allies with Russia on various levels.

“That is progress,” said Scholz, who will himself head to Kyiv and Moscow next week for separate meetings with Ukraine and Russia’s leaders.

“The hope is that through this intensity and through this double strategy of clear unity and announcement of hard sanctions should there be military aggression, and at the same time, discussion formats,” that tensions could be defused, Scholz said.

The German leader, who has been under fire over accusations that he has dithered over the crisis, stressed he was in agreement with allies including the United States on possible sanctions that could be imposed.

READ ALSO: Where is Scholz? Germany’s new Chancellor under fire

Scholz’s failure to pronounce the words “Nord Stream 2” during his trip to Washington did not go unnoticed, with critics questioning how committed he was to ditching the gas pipeline meant to transport Russian gas to Europe should Moscow take action against Ukraine.

On Wednesday, he again shied away from mentioning the pipeline directly, arguing that together with allies, “we have decided not to publish the entire catalogue (of sanctions) and I think that also makes sense because we can gain a little bit of power” by remaining vague.

READ ALSO: OPINION: Germany is in a muddle over Russia – and it only has itself to blame

Member comments

  1. Germany is very dependent on Russian gas so they must think twice before going full on confrontation with them.

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POLITICS

Scholz calls on coalition to ‘pull ourselves together’

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday called on his fractious governing coalition to "pull ourselves together" following a dismal showing in EU parliament elections last week.

Scholz calls on coalition to 'pull ourselves together'

In power since the end of 2021, the three parties in government — Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the liberal FDP — have been at loggerheads on a wide range of issues including climate measures and budget spending.

“I think that this is one of the entirely justified criticisms of many citizens, namely that there is too much debate” within the coalition, Scholz told German television channel ZDF on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy.

“We need to pull ourselves together and stick together to reach agreements,” he added.

“The people have the right to demand that things change,” Scholz told public broadcaster ARD.

The three parties in the coalition suffered a severe defeat in the European elections, with the SPD achieving its worst result in a national election since 1949.

Subsequently, Scholz has faced mounting criticism within his own party.

On Saturday, however, Scholz told ZDF and ARD that he was “sure” that he would be the SPD’s next candidate for the chancellorship in the parliamentary elections scheduled for autumn 2025.

In the very short term, a new test awaits the coalition, which must reach an agreement on the 2025 budget by the beginning of July.

The FDP’s finance minister is opposed to any exceptions to the rules limiting debt and to any tax increases.

On the other hand, the SPD and the Greens are opposed to cuts in social welfare or climate protection.

The debate is also focused on increasing the resources allocated to the German army.

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