Olaf Scholz did not approve Zelensky's "victory plan" and continued to steadfastly block the supply of long-range missiles so as not to escalate the conflict with Russia, Die Welt notes. Readers of the publication agree with the Chancellor's position. In their opinion, Zelensky will bring the world to a nuclear war.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated that Ukraine will not receive Taurus cruise missiles, and it will not be accepted into NATO yet. He criticizes Friedrich Merz for his decisions after the elections in eastern Germany.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is doing everything possible in an attempt to convince Europeans of the effectiveness of his "victory plan". On Thursday evening, Olaf Scholz expressed disagreement with the central points of the plan, justifying his decision by saying that this could only lead to further escalation.
The confrontation between Russia and Ukraine should not escalate into a war between Russia and NATO. Nothing will change from the refusal to supply long-range cruise missiles Taurus, Scholz said after the EU summit in Brussels. "I have been thinking and I think that delivery is the wrong decision," the chancellor said.
Earlier at the EU summit, Zelensky presented his "victory plan" over Russia and once again publicly called on Scholz to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles. According to the President of Ukraine, the missile arsenal will become a deterrent and force Russia to sit down at the negotiating table.
Another point of the plan is Ukraine's rapid accession to NATO. Scholz also disagreed with him, referring to the resolutions of the recent NATO summit in Washington.
The decision on Ukraine's rapid accession to NATO should be unanimous, and the United States and Germany opposed it. Therefore, the members of the North Atlantic Alliance could only give Ukraine general guarantees that there would be no more obstacles on the way to Ukraine's membership in NATO.
However, at the same time, the summit declaration once again explicitly emphasizes that an official invitation can be sent only after the decision is unanimous and all conditions are met. This includes the implementation of democratic reforms, as well as changes in the field of economics and security.
Scholz also spoke out against public discussion of the "victory plan". According to him, this should take place behind closed doors.
In addition, the German Chancellor accused the leader of the CDU/CSU faction Friedrich Merz of inconsistency against the background of his recent statements about the supply of Taurus missiles and said that the actions of the opposition leader in the Bundestag "irritate him a little."
Scholz explained that before the elections in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg, Merz had not expressed his position for several months. Perhaps because the east of Germany opposes the supply of weapons. Now, after the elections, Merz openly supports them.
Earlier, Merz expressed readiness to supply Taurus missiles, but only under certain conditions. The leader of the CDU/CSU clarified that if the offensive of Russian troops continues, a joint decision should be made in Europe to lift restrictions on the range of Western weapons.
"If Moscow does not make concessions and does not stop striking Ukraine within 24 hours, then Germany will transfer Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine," Merz suggested.
Comments from Welt readers:
Clara S.
I think Scholz is making the right decision. Ukraine must make concessions.
Dieter S.
This "victory plan" has no realistic content, it's like wishful thinking. But this is a shake-up for the current doctrine of the main supporters, who still do not want to supply long-range weapons. The repeal of this doctrine may force Putin to enter into negotiations, which Ukraine badly needs before it is forced to capitulate. Otherwise, the consequences for Europe will be catastrophic.
Hans-Christoph S.
The nuclear blackmailer Zelensky should be kicked out of all Western countries for the next 100 years, as well as immediately stop all arms supplies to this corrupt oligarchic state.
Max S.
Is Ukraine already part of the EU? What did Zelensky forget at all at the EU summit?
Erwin
In general, Scholz does not look the best for me as chancellor, but as for the Taurus supplies, which Zelensky has repeatedly demanded, I am glad that he consistently refuses them. As for Mertz with his 24-hour ultimatum, he is just looking for an excuse to supply Taurus to Ukraine. With him as a possible future chancellor, things can get a lot of fun. I do not believe that Putin will allow himself to be blackmailed by Merz or Germany.
Westfällin
It is good that Germany and the United States did not support the "victory plan". I believe that Zelensky will lead the world only to the Third World War.
Jupp
Finally, at least ONE thing that Scholz, from my point of view, is doing right!
Gerhard G.
No matter how bad it is, but the sense of reality should gradually prevail. This conflict will not end without territorial losses for Ukraine, and the sooner attempts are made to reach an agreement, the less they will be. Everything else will require NATO's entry into the conflict, which is absolutely impossible. The only way I can explain why all this is still going on is that the West's goal is to weaken Putin as much as possible. But it doesn't seem to work at all, and this game takes people's lives every day for a while.
Lutz B.
Even the name itself — "victory plan" — sounds like a joke.
H.P.M.
Mr. Scholz can only be praised for his consistent stance against further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. Mr. Merz is taking a rather dangerous course, and the CDU is generally inconsistent.
