Scholz: No NATO war with Russia

After Germany's approval of the shipment of combat tanks, demand for fighter aircraft comes from Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejects this and warns from a supply race.

Everything must be done to prevent a war between Russia and NATO, the German Chancellor has indicated, stressing, that Germany, despite widely supplying it with weapons to Ukraine, does not participate in the Ukraine war. This is a war between Russia and Ukraine”, Scholz said during his visit to South America at a press conference in Buenos Aires. “This does not change the financial, humanitarian or weapons supply we give Ukraine.” Germany will do anything not scale the situation leading to a war between Russia and NATO.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday with a statement to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg had triggered reactions. “We fight a war against Russia and not against each other”, Baerbox had said before MPs. The Foreign Ministry later clarified that Baherbox has not taken into account this participation in the war of Germany or its allies.

Watch out for gun supplies race

Chancellor Scholz called for caution in the arms supply debate. He warned that we should thus enter a race that offers the most if it comes to weapons systems, he told “Tagespiegel” referring to the request for sending combat aircraft. If, once a decision was made in Germany, the next debate begins, this does not seem serious and shocks citizens' trust in state decisions.” Scholz said he will try even further in direct talks to influence Putin. It depends on Putin to withdraw troops from Ukraine and end this meaningless war that has cost hundreds of thousands of people.” / DW