Ukraine policy to feature prominently in German election campaign, Scholz

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pledged that Ukraine will be a “central issue” in the upcoming Bundestag election campaign, Deutsche Welle reports.

Scholz emphasized the ongoing war in Europe as a pressing concern for German citizens, urging caution in navigating the complex conflict.

“In this war, you have to think carefully about how to act wisely. How to act prudently,” Scholz said, highlighting the need for measured responses to the crisis.

Germany, the Chancellor noted, had become the second-largest provider of aid to Ukraine globally.

However, he reiterated that Germany has refrained from supplying cruise missiles or permitting the use of German-supplied weapons for strikes on Russian territory. “I believe that this is the course that the majority of citizens support,” Scholz added.

Scholz also reflected on his telephone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing them as “unpleasant” due to Putin’s insistence on achieving military objectives in Ukraine. Nevertheless, he underlined the importance of such talks. “It is possible during these conversations to call on the opponent to withdraw troops from the occupied territory,” Scholz explained.