German Chancellor Olaf Scholz insists that negotiations with Russia must respect Ukraine’s “sovereign independence.”
Additionally, he made it clear at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday morning that Ukraine must be enabled to effectively defend itself with substantial military aid in a peace settlement.
“Ukraine must have armed forces at the end of any negotiated solution that can repel any renewed Russian attack. Financially, materially, and logistically, this will be an enormous challenge,” Scholz said.
The German chancellor emphasized that European and trans-Atlantic partners will continue to be needed for this effort.
He warned that a victory for Russia or the collapse of Ukraine would not create peace. He also said that a dictated peace would never receive Germany’s support.
“We will also not agree to any solution that leads to a decoupling of European and US security,” he said.
Scholz accused Russia of already escalating the situation with dangerous actions against states in the trans-Atlantic alliance. He cited sabotage of undersea cables and other infrastructure, arson attacks, disinformation and attempts to manipulate democratic elections.
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