(Dan Tri) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared that European security must focus on a strong Ukraine, rejecting Russia's demand that Kiev demilitarize.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Photo: Reuters).
Speaking to journalists after a meeting of European leaders in London on March 2, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed: "It is clear that we must support Ukraine financially and by military means. Secondly, we must know that the core of any future peaceful order must be the ability for Ukraine to defend itself and have a strong military... All security architecture must revolve around this."
He did not specify whether Berlin would deploy troops to Ukraine but affirmed continued financial and military support for Ukraine.
According to the Kiel Institute, Germany is the second largest donor to Ukraine, contributing about $18 billion in military and other aid.
Russia argues that the conflict in Ukraine is caused by NATO's expansion eastward. Moscow rejects any temporary ceasefire and accepts only a permanent solution. Moscow believes that peace can only be achieved if Ukraine commits to neutrality, demilitarization and de-fascism, and recognizes the territorial realities on the ground.
However, Mr Scholz rejected Moscow's accusations, calling Russia's position "unacceptable". He declared that "Ukraine must become so strong that it cannot be attacked".
The German chancellor also expressed concern about the prospect of a more moderate government emerging in Kiev.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's five-year term expired last year, but he has refused to call new elections, citing martial law in 2022. After US President Donald Trump called Zelensky an "unelected dictator", Ukrainian lawmakers passed a bill supporting Zelensky to stay in power until the conflict ends.
Mr Scholz's comments came after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans for a new coalition of countries willing to provide security guarantees to Kiev.
Mr Starmer held an emergency meeting in London on 2 March, acknowledging that some countries supporting Kiev had limited resources and urging those with the capacity to act urgently.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in February 2022 and has become a war of attrition. The Trump administration is looking for a quick way to end the conflict.
Following a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump last month, the Kremlin said it was ready to initiate a peace process, stressing the need to address the root causes of the conflict. Moscow is firmly opposed to the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine and Kiev’s aspirations to join the bloc, which Russia sees as one of the reasons for the conflict to escalate in 2022.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/duc-phan-doi-phi-quan-su-hoa-ukraine-20250303165204747.htm
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