German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the importance of military and financial support for Ukraine, calling it “existential” for Europe, especially as the country battles Russia’s invading forces. Despite a domestic budget crisis, Scholz defended Germany’s commitment to support Ukraine, stating that they will continue to do so for as long as necessary.
Germany has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, providing weapons to aid in its defense against Russia. Scholz addressed parliament following a constitutional court ruling that created a significant budgetary challenge for the government. The ruling stated that the government had violated a constitutional debt rule, leaving it scrambling to pass a new budget before the end of the year and make necessary investments in decarbonization and the modernization of its armed forces.
To address the immediate crisis, the government plans to suspend the constitutional debt rule for a fourth year in a row. This decision comes after the rule was previously lifted between 2020 and 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic and the energy price surge following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. Scholz emphasized that it is crucial to look beyond the current energy crisis and continue support for Ukraine into the future.
The Chancellor stressed the importance of not letting up in supporting Ukraine and overcoming the energy crisis, claiming that doing so would be irresponsible and jeopardize the future. Germany had previously provided billions of euros in support to households and businesses to manage the spike in energy prices.
Scholz concluded by highlighting the continuing crisis and the need to justify lifting the debt brake again, especially in light of the ongoing support for Ukraine and the energy crisis. His remarks underscore Germany’s unwavering commitment to assisting Ukraine and addressing the challenges posed by the energy crisis.
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