Scholz, marking Ukraine invasion anniversary, calls for stronger Europe

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the need for Europe to strengthen its defences in order to withstand any potential military attacks from external threats, particularly in light of the two-year anniversary since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Scholz, in a podcast, acknowledged the importance of concepts such as deterrence and defence readiness, which have not been commonly discussed in Germany in recent years but are crucial for ensuring the region’s security.

He stressed the necessity for Europe, along with its allies, to demonstrate such strength that it deters any potential aggressors from initiating an attack.

Germany, as the largest economy in Europe, has increased its defence spending to reach 2% of its GDP and intends to maintain this level of investment in the coming decades, aligning with the targets set by the NATO alliance.

In collaboration with allies such as France and Britain, Germany is also exploring the development of precision weapons with long-range capabilities to enhance its deterrence strategy and ensure it remains at the forefront of military technology.

Recently, Britain announced new sanctions against Russia aimed at restricting President Vladimir Putin’s access to weapons and financial resources, as part of efforts to counter the aftermath of the Ukraine invasion.

Scholz highlighted Germany’s 100 billion euro special military budget, established shortly after the invasion of Ukraine, with a significant portion already allocated to specific defense projects.

(1 euro equals 1.085 dollars)

(Reporting by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Hugh Lawson)