Chancellor Olaf Scholz has condemned Russia's recent drone attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine as war crimes that will not be successful.
"Even such a scorched-earth tactic will not help Russia win the war," said the SPD politician in a government statement in the Bundestag. "It only strengthens the resolve and perseverance of Ukraine and its partners."
"In the end, Russia's bomb and rocket terror is an act of desperation - just like the mobilization of Russian men for the war," Scholz continued. Ukraine will successfully defend itself. "And we will support them - as long as it is necessary."
Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is pouring terror into Ukraine. He is blatantly and irresponsibly threatening the world with the use of nuclear weapons. "He wants to sow fear, divide and intimidate. He speculates on our weakness. But he's wrong. We are not weak." Germany stand together, Europe stand together, said Scholz. "Our worldwide alliances are stronger and more alive than ever. Putin will not achieve his war goals."
Scholz: Reconstruction in Ukraine will be a task for generations
Scholz sees the "entire civilized community of states" as responsible for the reconstruction of Ukraine after the Russian war. "Anyone who sees the pictures from the Ukrainian towns and villages liberated from Russia understands that this will be a generational task in which the entire civilized community of states will have to join forces," said the SPD politician. The states should join forces and consider today how they could support Ukraine's reconstruction.
"The good news is that Kiev's financial needs are practically covered until the end of the year," said Scholz. The EU and the G7 played a crucial role in this. In addition to military and humanitarian support, according to the Ministry of Finance, budget support of 20.7 billion US dollars has already flowed this year, a total of 33.3 billion dollars have been committed for this year.
By far the largest donor is the USA. According to the Ministry of Finance, Germany is the largest donor within the EU with a share of 1.4 billion euros. The finance ministers of the leading democratic economic powers recently agreed to give Ukraine further financial aid in the coming year. The funds are intended to help maintain basic government services in the war-torn country, such as paying pensions and the salaries of government employees.
