- Scholz justifies the placement of missile systems in Germany
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) views the placement of American intermediate-range missiles in Germany as a means to preserve peace. According to the government's security strategy, "we require such weapons to deter war, as it should never occur," he stated during a visit to the Saxon SPD headquarters in Dresden. Everyone ought to understand that the cost of an attack would be significant. Therefore, military preparedness should be commensurate. There's a missile threat from Russia. Everything must be executed to safeguard the population.
Scholz has noted that Germany has been incapable of defending itself against air attacks for decades. This was a significant blunder. "Now we will rectify that." At the same time, Scholz emphasized the importance of disarmament. Yet, it must occur uniformly. If one is currently "strengthening," one must also express a readiness to negotiate about arms control.
A Civey polling institute survey revealed that lately, almost half of the Germans express concern about the missile deployment. Half of the Germans fear an escalation of the conflict with Russia if advanced US missiles are positioned in Germany. This concern is particularly prominent in East Germany. The federal chancellor declined to comment in Dresden on the reasons for this perspective.
Scholz defended his stance on additional weapon supply to Ukraine. If one did not arm Ukraine, the country would be swiftly conquered. To preserve the option for a peaceful Europe, it's crucial that Ukraine can defend itself and Russia does not win the war. At the same time, Scholz remains open to dialogue. He has also spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin alongside French President Emmanuel Macron since the beginning of the war. "I will do that again if there's something to discuss."
Scholz warned against "flaunting the flag in the wind" when discussing war and peace. People can have faith in him. "My constancy is there. I won't be swayed by anyone. To secure peace and safety in Europe, we must support Ukraine." It's also crucial to meticulously consider all steps. This includes reinforcing NATO. Bringing two percent of economic output to defense is a significant undertaking. Yet, we will remain committed.
Scholz characterized Ukraine's military offensive in the Russian region of Kursk as a "limited operation." It was secretly planned and not coordinated with Ukraine's partners. However, a definitive judgment cannot be rendered.
The decision to deploy medium-range rockets in Germany, as suggested by Chancellor Scholz, is intended to deter potential threats and maintain peace. This stance has sparked concerns among some Germans, with nearly half expressing fear of an escalation if advanced US missiles are positioned in the country, particularly in East Germany.