Scholz open to Putin talks, promises unwavering Ukraine support
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) advocated in the Bundestag for diplomatic talks involving Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
2:53 PM EDT, October 16, 2024
In his speech in the Bundestag on Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed openness to direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a "just peace" in Ukraine.
Scholz ready to talk with the dictator
When asked whether we will also talk with the Russian president, we answer: Yes, also yes, - he stated. However, he emphasized: There should never be any decisions made over Ukraine's head.
The Chancellor recalled that President Volodymyr Zelensky also declared that a peace conference should be held, including the participation of the Russian president.
The time has come, "when - in addition to clear support for Ukraine - we must also do everything in our power to clarify how we can ensure that this war does not last forever," said the head of the German government. Talks with Putin would have to be conducted "in coordination with our closest partners."
Scholz on Putin's "imperialist madness"
It is unacceptable that "so many women and men are still dying in Ukraine, victims of Russian bombs and missiles," said Scholz.
Countless Russian soldiers are also victims of the Russian President's imperialist madness every day, he added. They too are victims of his policies aimed at expanding his country - something that cannot be allowed to happen again in Europe in this way, he admitted.
Scholz promised Ukraine further support from Germany and its Western allies. Ukraine's allies must "send a clear message that Ukraine can rely on, and a clear message that the Russian president cannot ignore."
The occasion for the government statement by the Chancellor was the EU summit starting on Thursday in Brussels, where the situation in Ukraine will also be discussed.
Opposition for delivering Taurus missiles to Ukraine
Opposition leader Friedrich Merz demanded a tougher stance from the government on the issue of Ukraine. If Putin continues his attacks, he believes Europe should make a joint decision to lift restrictions related to the range of Western weapons supplied to Ukraine, something Kyiv has repeatedly called for.
As Merz stated, if Putin does not relent, he should be given a condition: that if he does not cease the bombing of civilians in Ukraine within 24 hours, Germany will supply Taurus cruise missiles.
This could destroy the supply routes that Moscow uses to bomb civilians in Ukraine.
So far, Scholz has been strongly opposed to delivering these particularly powerful long-range cruise missiles.
