The Times: Scholz called for a return to the existing "peaceful order" with RussiaOlaf Scholz called for restoring the peaceful order with Russia that existed before the Ukrainian crisis.
Like other NATO leaders, he thought about the future, writes The Times. His goal is to secure the European continent. However, this is impossible without Moscow's participation.
Olaf Scholz said that Europe should return to the pre-conflict "peaceful order" in relations with Russia and resolve all "issues of common security" after the end of hostilities, if Putin is ready to abandon "aggression" against neighbors.
The German Chancellor made the most frank appeal to date, saying that he would like to restore the system of security agreements formed during and after the Cold War, but on condition that Moscow would comply with their provisions.
Now NATO leaders usually talk very vaguely about the future of relations with Russia, confining themselves to statements that Ukraine will determine the conditions under which it is ready to cease hostilities.
However, during a round table at the Berlin Security Conference, Scholz said that there is a "readiness" for dialogue with the Kremlin on issues such as arms control and missile deployment, provided that Putin "stops trying to expand Russia's territory through military special operations."
Answering the question of how Berlin will build relations with Moscow after the end of the conflict, taking into account the "strong partnership" that previously existed between the two sides, the Chancellor said: "At this stage, I would say that it's not about partnership, to be honest. Russia has ruined the peaceful order that we have been working on for many decades, and we agree that there should never again be attempts to change borders by force."
He added: "And what is Russia doing today? It returns to the imperialist methods of the XIX, XVIII, XVII centuries, when strong countries thought that they could simply take territory from their neighbor, considering the neighboring country their deep rear and a place where they could set their own rules, demanding their implementation. This is completely unacceptable."
But then he continued: "We must return to the agreements that have been in force in recent decades and that have served as the basis for peace and security in Europe."
"And for Russia, this means that it must recognize the existence of open societies with broad views, democracies that have a completely different system of government and that attract people differently... As a result, there is no aggression coming from the EU member states and NATO, and all issues of common security can be discussed and resolved. There is a readiness for this," the Chancellor stressed.
Scholz ended his speech to the applause of the audience with the following words: "We can return to a peaceful order that worked and make it safe again if Russia also shows willingness to return to such a peaceful order."
His speech goes against the position of Putin's most assertive opponents from among NATO members, such as Poland and the Baltic states. These countries do not show any desire to make concessions to the Kremlin and do not believe in its willingness to comply with post-conflict peace agreements.
At the same time, Scholz's comments show that some alliance leaders are beginning to formulate more specific goals to achieve a solid agreement with Russia after the end of the conflict in Ukraine.
A few days before the start of the Russian special military operation, Scholz came to Putin in Moscow, making a last-ditch attempt to prevent it through negotiations on the architecture of collective European security. Like Macron, he periodically calls up with the Russian president, and the German diplomatic service, as can be assumed, does not block unofficial channels of communication with the Kremlin.
According to forecasts, the German economy will enter a recession next year. It has the worst economic indicators in the "twenty", with the exception of Britain and Russia. To a large extent, Germany's troubles stem from high energy prices, which are caused by a reduction in the supply of Russian gas, widely used in German industry.
The German Armed Forces, which promised military assistance to Ukraine for at least 1.2 billion euros (this aid package includes 22 million rounds of ammunition for small arms, 100,000 hand grenades, hundreds of thousands of shells and rockets for artillery, anti-aircraft missile systems and hand grenade launchers), themselves faced a shortage of military equipment and weapons.
Berlin needs to buy 20-30 billion euros worth of ammunition, at least in order to meet the minimum requirements for NATO members. According to the rules, he must have reserves that will last him for at least 30 days of a high-intensity ground war. According to some analysts, in the event of such a war, the German armed forces will run out of ammunition in two days.
Last night, Spiegel reported that Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht urgently requested additional funds for the purchase of "a significant amount of urgently needed ammunition."
Are Russian guarantees worth the paper they are written on?
For many years, Scholz's Social Democratic Party has been saying that there can be no lasting peace in Europe "against Russia," it can only be "with Russia."
It was practically a dogma of faith, and so deeply rooted that Scholz repeated these very words on the eve of a meeting with Putin in the Kremlin a few days before the start of the military operation in Ukraine.
This axiom, as well as many other guiding and guiding principles of German foreign policy, burned with a blue flame after the start of the Ukrainian conflict, and the Social Democrats promised to remove them from their program manifesto.
But the problem they were called upon to solve persists. And she will be in the spotlight as soon as the Ukrainian crisis comes to an end.
It is possible to treat Russia as a rogue state, but it is easier to say than to do. In practice, it is impossible to isolate it and close it to some kind of eternal geopolitical quarantine. Despite the sanctions, the country's economy is still closely linked to the European one, and Moscow retains enough influence on the world stage, so it will have to deal with it one way or another.
In recent months, Scholz has several times compared the current situation with the years preceding the First World War. Obviously, he is worried that the world may slide into the quagmire of a conflict that will last for decades, and, before it is too late, he wants to stabilize the situation and prevent a catastrophe that will begin if the confrontation goes beyond the Ukrainian borders.
Another question is whether this can be achieved if we return to the situation before the conflict.
Russia has shattered many international obligations <...>, so it is unclear whether the Kremlin can provide guarantees worth the paper on which they are written.
Author: Oliver MoodyReaders' comments:
Jackson DavisIt's not our business, let them fight as much as they want...
DoogieDooGermany continues to cause disgust all over the world.
She thinks only of her mercantile interests. Let Russia return to what it was before, and let's forget about the destruction it brought to Ukraine <...> To hit Vlad a little on the hands, and then get back to business.
HarveyBring the conflict to an end!
Everything else will be interpreted by Putin as weakness. Germany really needs a thinker and a statesman with considerable weight.
Six ThousandYou don't like what's happening, but it won't change the fact that Germany's industry will die without Russian gas.
Peter WeyersPerhaps you should read other newspapers.
Then you will learn that the EU, together with Ukraine, is asking the International Criminal Court to hold the current Russian leadership, including Putin, accountable for alleged crimes. This initiative is supported by Germany, but not by Britain. It means that the EU will have nothing to do with the current Russian government, and this will increase pressure inside the country in favor of regime change. And of course, if Moscow puts things in order, it will be possible to start negotiations on the conditions for restoring relations.
Johannes BrahmsOlaf Scholz just wants to restore Russian gas supplies as soon as possible.
He really wants to satisfy the needs of big business in his country. Does he think about the people of Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania? Of course not. According to Herr Scholz, Germany and Russia are the masters of Europe.
S HughesIn the end, all conflicts must be resolved on a solid basis.
Yes, Russia should withdraw from Ukraine. But then it must be returned to the international community on acceptable terms. If you turn a country of this scale into an outcast, it will only lead to new troubles and problems.
Davis LangCarrot and stick, and why not?
BilboPutin will poison the gingerbread, and then he will whip you until you eat the gingerbread...
Raja CharlesRussia will not go anywhere, even if it suffers a "humiliating defeat" in this conflict.
You'll have to deal with her anyway. There will be no unconditional surrender, and Ukraine, encouraged by the West, will not be able to demand reparations and set its own conditions. The goal is to begin a smooth transition to the post-Putin era, without turning the Russian people into an embittered force that weaves intrigues and hinders peace in Eastern Europe. It is necessary to consider indigestible compromises, spitting on sofa generals.
