Ukraine not to blame for war with Russia, says Scholz
Europe scrambles to find a response to US President Donald Trump’s policy on the conflict
20 February 2025 - 15:13
by Andreas Rinke
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Berlin — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed the importance of keeping the path open for Ukraine to join the EU and rejected suggestions that the country was to blame for its invasion by Russia, in a radio interview aired on Thursday.
Asked if he shares US President Donald Trump’s view, in line with Russian President Vladimir Putin, that Ukraine was to blame for the war, Scholz told the ARD public broadcaster: “It is not. We in Europe insist on this.”
For this reason, he said, the EU was keeping the door open to Ukraine as a prospective member, adding, “Ukraine must not be hindered in its decision to be a democratic, sovereign nation on its way into Europe.”
In the case of a future peace settlement, Scholz said Ukraine must have a strong army, “for which we in Europe and our international and transatlantic partners share responsibility”.
Europe is scrambling to find a response to Trump’s policy on the war, after high-level US-Russian talks sidelined Ukraine and its European backers, raising fears that the US leader could make concessions to Moscow to end the war.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Ukraine not to blame for war with Russia, says Scholz
Europe scrambles to find a response to US President Donald Trump’s policy on the conflict
Berlin — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed the importance of keeping the path open for Ukraine to join the EU and rejected suggestions that the country was to blame for its invasion by Russia, in a radio interview aired on Thursday.
Asked if he shares US President Donald Trump’s view, in line with Russian President Vladimir Putin, that Ukraine was to blame for the war, Scholz told the ARD public broadcaster: “It is not. We in Europe insist on this.”
For this reason, he said, the EU was keeping the door open to Ukraine as a prospective member, adding, “Ukraine must not be hindered in its decision to be a democratic, sovereign nation on its way into Europe.”
In the case of a future peace settlement, Scholz said Ukraine must have a strong army, “for which we in Europe and our international and transatlantic partners share responsibility”.
Europe is scrambling to find a response to Trump’s policy on the war, after high-level US-Russian talks sidelined Ukraine and its European backers, raising fears that the US leader could make concessions to Moscow to end the war.
Reuters
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Moscow makes new demand as Russia and US meet without Ukraine
European leaders spilt on deploying soldiers to Ukraine
Zelensky dismissive of planned US-Russia talks
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