German Chancellor Olaf Scholz believes that at the current stage, to resolve the situation in Ukraine, the most urgent task is a ceasefire.
„In order to help de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, a ceasefire is urgently needed,“ he said in an interview with ZDF television.
According to him, in order to achieve a cessation of hostilities, he is ready to continue contacts with the presidents of both Russia and Ukraine.
„I will not stop communicating not only with the Ukrainian president, but also with the Russian one. We must do everything to end the war,“ the chancellor said.
He once again stated that NATO would not take a direct part in the conflict, because „this would lead to a sharp escalation of this difficult situation.“
„That’s why now there will be no decisions that would lead NATO member states to become involved militarily in this confrontation,“ Scholz explained.
He said that NATO plans did not include the deployment of missiles in Ukraine, noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin „had concerns“ about this.
„No one had such plans,“ the chancellor said.
At the same time, he called the supply of weapons to Ukraine „the right step“ in connection with „Russia’s actions against Ukraine.“
According to the German media, Berlin is ready to send Soviet-made missiles to Ukraine, which were stored in the warehouses of the former East Germany. In particular, 2,700 Strela air defense systems, as well as 500 American Stingers and 1,000 units of anti-tank systems are ready for shipment.
However, according to media reports, the Federal Security Council has not yet approved this move.
Scholz said that Germany has already begun to replace some of the volumes of Russian gas with supplies from other sources.
„We have prepared to buy gas elsewhere, we have done so and continue to do so,“ he said, adding that gas, oil and coal purchases in Russia continue.
The chancellor stressed that the decision to suspend the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is „timely“ as a response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
