2024-02-09 18:22:55
During his visit to Washington, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) promised continued military aid to Ukraine and ruled out a surrender by Kiev. Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin is counting on a decrease in support from Western allies for Ukraine, said Scholz on Friday before his conversation with US President Joe Biden. “If we make it clear that this is a miscalculation, then that is the best contribution to peaceful development.”
The war might end at any time, but not because Ukraine capitulated, emphasized Scholz. He countered statements made by the Kremlin chief in an interview with the right-wing US talk show host Tucker Carlson, according to which the West must slowly realize that the conflict over Ukraine cannot be won militarily. Sooner or later this will lead to an agreement. “Once this realization has set in, they (the West) need to think regarding what to do next.”
Scholz expressed confidence that the US Congress would release additional funds to equip the Ukrainian armed forces. He was “very happy” that “there is now a good sign.” The day before, a new legislative package that, among other things, provides $60 billion (55.77 billion euros) for Ukraine cleared its first formal hurdle in the Senate. Negotiations are still ongoing and a final vote in the Senate is pending. Whether the package will pass there and, above all, have a chance in the other chamber of parliament, the House of Representatives, is still completely open.
Scholz wanted to meet Biden in the White House on Friday followingnoon (local time). The main topic will be the continuation of military aid to Ukraine. The USA and Germany are the two most important arms suppliers to the country attacked by Russia. Biden has been trying for months to get a new billion-dollar package of military support for Ukraine through Congress – so far in vain.
Scholz estimates the value of the military equipment delivered and promised by Germany at more than 30 billion euros. The USA states the extent of its military aid at 44 billion US dollars (40.90 billion euros). Biden has been trying for months to get military aid worth around $60 billion for Kiev through Congress. Former President Donald Trump’s Republicans are blocking the package.
After arriving in Washington on Thursday evening, Scholz dined with eight senators from Congress, including four Republicans. The German delegation then said that the discussion partners were “hopeful” that the USA would provide financial support.
Other topics in the conversation between Biden and Scholz will be the conflict in the Middle East and the NATO summit in Washington this summer. No press conference was scheduled. The German side gave time reasons as an explanation for this. For at least a few minutes at the beginning of their conversation, the two wanted to present themselves to the public together in the Oval Office. A breakfast with US entrepreneurs is on his program on Friday morning.
The primaries for the presidential election on November 5th have just begun in the USA, in which Biden wants to run once more. Former US President Donald Trump is considered the most likely challenger.
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