Germany's chancellor is coming under increasing pressure for his restrained Ukraine policies – in Brussels, but also in Berlin. A revolt has even begun within his own coalition, with calls growing louder for the country to supply Kyiv with heavy weapons.
Olaf Scholz and Boris Johnson discussed the war behind closed doors at 10 Downing Street. Now, they were to answer a few questions at the British prime minister’s official residence in London. The topic of their meeting on Friday, April 8: the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine. And the role of the Russian president. And a possible visit of the two leaders to Kyiv.
Within the ranks of his coalition partners, the business-friendly Free Democrats and the Green Party, there is growing frustration with Scholz's lack of elan when it comes to speaking or even making decisions. And the first are beginning to raise their voices."The chancellor is the problem," says a critical Anton Hofreiter, a member of the Greens and chair of the European Affairs Committee in the German parliament, the Bundestag.
Just how bad the relationship between Germany and Ukraine has become became evident last week when German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was forced to abort his trip to Ukraine. The trip had been prepared under the strictest secrecy. But then, Zelenskyy’s government suddenly derailed the visit, just hours before Steinmeier was to board a night train to Kyiv. After Steinmeier returned to Berlin, officials in Kyiv let it be known that another German was welcome in Ukraine: the chancellor.
"Yes" to arms deliveries, even of heavy equipment, that is what unites the chairpersons of the committees in the Bundestag relevant to foreign policy – Roth, Strack-Zimmermann and Hofreiter. It’s also what separates them from their chancellor. At the same time, the government had good intentions at the beginning, especially in the area of arms deliveries.
By then, of course, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht had probably long since lost track of the lists herself, given the sheer number of different spreadsheets that had begun circulating within a very short period of time. No one seems to have had the overview for long. Not the ministry, not the defense industry and certainly not the public.
But he hasn’t. Or at least he has only very slowly. Is it because he is worried that Germany will be drawn further and further into the war?European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reacts upon hearing about the number of Ukrainian deaths.Whatever the case, it has become clear that Scholz’s people are applying the brakes wherever possible. In December, Scholz appointed a Bundeswehr general to head the new coronavirus crisis unit in the Chancellery.
The chancellor obviously feels he’s on safe ground. He is popular, and his party is holding stable in the polls. And his calm style, as his supporters see it, can’t be that wrong. After all, it was precisely that approach that had secured the former Hamburg mayor victory as Germany’s next chancellor.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Eintracht Frankfurt verliert bei Union Berlin - Awoniyi und Prömel treffenDrei Tage nach dem Coup in der Europa League gegen den FC Barcelona verliert Eintracht Frankfurt bei Union Berlin sowie den Anschluss an die internationalen Plätze.
Read more »
IFA: Schwierige Verhandlungen um Verbleib in BerlinBei Gesprächen über eine Zukunft der Funkausstellung IFA in Berlin liegen beide Seiten weit auseinander. Das könnte so bleiben.
Read more »
Wird das Trinkwasser rationiert?: Die Warnungen kommen immer öfter – Berlin muss jetzt dem Mangel vorbeugenDer Bedarf der Stadt wächst, der Nachschub stockt, Beschränkungen werden diskutiert. Das Wasserproblem ist lösbar, aber der Aufwand immens.
Read more »
Alba Berlin feiert die Aufsteigerinnen und sorgt für ein NovumMit diesem Novum hatten die Macher von Alba Berlin noch gar nicht gerechnet. Schon in der kommenden Saison wird die Hauptstadt als einziger Basketball-Verein bei den Männern und auch bei den Frauen erstklassig sein.
Read more »
Woche startet sonnig in Berlin und Brandenburg – später bewölktAm Ostermontag gibt's in Berlin und Brandenburg keine Ausrede für eine Radtour. Es wird wieder frühlingshaft sonnig. Im weiteren Verlauf der zweiten Osterferienwoche ziehen Wolken auf.
Read more »