Scholz names three priority areas of assistance to Ukraine
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Photo:REUTERS/Michele Tantussi)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz believes aid to Ukraine should be focused on three priority areas – air defenses, repairing energy infrastructure, and preparing to accept more refugees, German newspaper Spiegel reported on Nov. 12.
First of all, Scholz said, it is necessary to ensure Ukrainian cities are protected from Russian missile attacks. The chancellor also praised the effectiveness of the German Iris-T air defense system, which Germany has already supplied to Ukraine.
Secondly, destroyed critical infrastructure has to be quickly restored, the chancellor added.
Third, Scholz believes that it is necessary to prepare for the arrival of a new wave of refugees from Ukraine.
Russia has been attack civilian infrastructure in Ukraine – energy and hydroelectric facilities – so as to deny Ukrainians power, heating and water supplies in the winter period. Ukraine believes the Kremlin is doing so in order to make Ukrainians pressure the government in Kyiv to stop the war.
Scholz also accused Russian dictator Vladimir Putin of preparing for war for two years before launching his full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.
According to the chancellor, Putin was only looking for an excuse to start a war against Ukraine.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with Sholz. In particular, they discussed recent Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure.
Russia has been at war with Ukraine since February 2014, when the Kremlin used its forces stationed in Crimea to seize the Ukrainian peninsula. It then used special forces to seize parts of Ukraine’s Donbas, and then falsely denied that it was involved in the ensuing conflict.
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