Germany will continue "cautious course" in matters of war and peace - Scholz
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised to maintain a "cautious course in matters of war and peace" if re-elected as head of government.
He said this on the air of the Heute Journal programme on ZDF TV channel, Censor.NET reports.
Scholz stressed that the war in Europe is a serious topic of concern to many Germans, including himself. "In such a war, you need to think carefully about how to be smart, how to act carefully, ... to act wisely when it comes to war and peace," the politician said.
He also noted that he disagrees with the constant criticism that has been voiced over the past three years, saying that Germany is not doing enough to support Ukraine. According to him, the FRG has long been one of the main providers of assistance to Kyiv.
The Chancellor stressed that Germany, as Ukraine's largest ally, should pursue a balanced policy. He mentioned that the transfer of long-range missiles and permission to use German weapons for attacks on Russian territory are not in line with this policy.
"I think that this course is supported by the majority of citizens, and this will only be possible if I continue to represent it," Scholz said.
The Chancellor explained that Germany's position is based on its status as a non-nuclear state in the centre of Europe, which should carefully consider its actions.
Dialogue with Russia and the future of peace talks
Scholz also addressed the criticism surrounding his phone call with Putin. He explained that the call was a "responsible and necessary" step, as dialogue remains important for conveying Germany's position. The politician stressed that his conversations with Putin have never been friendly and are aimed solely at sending a clear message: Germany will not stop supporting Ukraine.
The Chancellor noted that Russia should take part in future peace talks, as only through dialogue can a stable solution to the conflict be achieved. The Chancellor responded categorically to accusations that he was using Ukraine in his election campaign, calling such statements "shameful".
