German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has allayed fears that Germany could be drawn into Russia’s war against Ukraine by supplying main battle tanks. He told the “Bild am Sonntag”: “We carefully weighed each delivery of weapons, coordinating closely with our allies, especially with America. This joint approach prevents an escalation of the war.”
In telephone conversations, he made it “very clear” to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia alone was responsible for the war.
“Putin did not threaten me or Germany,” Scholz said in an interview with “Bild am Sonntag,” according to a preliminary report. Rather, the talks are an exchange of controversial views: “In our calls, our very different views on the war in Ukraine become very clear.”
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a BBC interview published a few days ago that Putin had threatened him with a missile strike during a phone call in February 2022. Johnson said he viewed it more as a rhetorical device. A spokesman for Putin called Johnson’s account a lie at the time, saying that Putin had made no such threat.
The German government had promised Ukraine Leopard 2 tanks from army stocks. Other countries, such as the US, had also announced that they would supply main battle tanks to Kiev. Scholz was heavily criticized for hesitating on the main battle tank issue.
Putin had accused Germany of getting drawn into a war with Russia. “It is unbelievable, but it is a fact: we are again threatened by the German Leopard tank,” the Kremlin chief said on Thursday. As in World War II, German weapons are used to fight against Russia on Ukrainian territory. Contrary to what Putin portrayed, there were no Leopard tanks at the time.
When asked about Putin’s statements, Scholz said: “His words are part of a series of dark historical comparisons he uses to justify his attack on Ukraine. Nothing can justify this war. Russia is waging a brutal war against Ukraine.”
When asked if there was an agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that weapons from the West would only be used on Ukrainian territory and that Russia would not be attacked on its territory, Scholz said: “There is consensus on that.”
(t-online/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
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