German Chancellor Olaf Scholz believes that the discussion about sending a peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine and Germany's possible participation in it is premature and inappropriate.
“I consider such a debate inappropriate and premature“, Scholz told RND, when asked about a possible peacekeeping mission in Ukraine and Germany's participation in it.
At the same time, he stated that no decisions should be made "behind Ukraine's back".
“First, it is necessary to end the conflict and start real negotiations, not an imposed peace. Only then will it be possible to see what future security guarantees for Ukraine can be,“ said the head of the German government.
In any case, he said, “Ukraine will have an army that it will not be able to support with its own financial resources“. “We and all friends of Ukraine will be called upon to help“, Scholz concluded.
He again criticized US President Donald Trump for his words that the US is interested in obtaining rare earth metals from Ukraine and is seeking corresponding guarantees from Kiev, since Washington provides great support to Ukraine.
At a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels on December 3, 2024, German Foreign Minister Analene Berbock, as media claim, did not rule out the possibility of sending German peacekeepers to Ukraine if hostilities cease. According to her, along with security guarantees in the form of NATO membership, an “international presence to ensure compliance with the ceasefire“ could be considered.
On January 23, Politico reported that European countries were continuing to discuss the issue of possibly sending a military contingent to Ukraine. According to Politico, Macron had hoped to convince Poland of the advisability of sending peacekeepers, but he met with disagreement from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and as a result, the negotiations reached a dead end.
Sholz also criticized US President Donald Trump's intention to impose tariffs on goods from several countries and noted that if tariffs were imposed on the European Union, the European Commission (EC) would be able to respond within hours.
“The global economy needs fewer trade barriers, not more“, Scholz said. Globalization, he said, has led to a significant increase in prosperity around the world. Germany, as the chancellor noted, benefits from this thanks to its export industry.
“It should stay that way“, said Scholz. “That is why I am in favor of us as the European Union standing together and showing clearly that the EU with its 450 million inhabitants is strong and capable of acting“, said the head of the German government.
Asked whether he was threatening Trump with retaliatory tariffs from the EU, Scholz stressed that he was counting on cooperation, not confrontation. “We are reaching out because tariffs are not beneficial to anyone. If the US takes such steps, the European Commission will be able to react within hours”, summed up the German chancellor.
Yesterday, Trump said that he would impose tariffs on goods from several countries next week. On February 1, the US president signed an executive order imposing tariffs on goods from Canada, China and Mexico. The document imposes a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian energy resources). Additional tariffs of 10% are also being introduced on goods from China. Later, the US leader suspended tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico for a month after talks with the leaders of these countries. On February 4, US tariffs on Chinese imports came into effect. The US leader is also considering imposing a 10% tariff on all imports from the EU. However, there is still no full agreement on this issue within the US leader's administration.