Scholz says top priority is to avoid NATO confrontation with Russia

NATO must avoid a direct military confrontation with Russia that could lead to a third world war, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in an interview with Der Spiegel when asked about Germany’s failure to deliver heavy weapons to Ukraine.

Scholz is facing mounting criticism at home and abroad for his government’s apparent reluctance to hand over heavy battlefield weapons such as tanks and howitzers to Ukraine to help it fend off Russian attacks, even as other Western allies step up their efforts. shipments.

Asked in a lengthy interview published on Friday why he thought the delivery of tanks could lead to nuclear war, he said there was no rule book outlining when Germany could be considered part of the war in Ukraine.

“That’s why it’s even more important that we consider each step very carefully and coordinate closely with each other,” he said. “Avoiding an escalation towards NATO is a priority for me.”

“That’s why I don’t focus on research or let myself be annoyed by shrill phone calls. The consequences of a mistake would be dramatic.”

This was a departure from his earlier statements on the matter, focusing on the fact that the stockpiles of Germany’s own armed forces were too depleted to send heavy weapons to the battlefield, while the ones German industry said it could supply. could not easily be put to use.

Asked why he had not explained his government’s reluctance to threaten nuclear war, he said such “simplifications” had not helped.

Separately, Scholz defended his decision not to immediately end German imports of Russian gas in response to what Russia calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine.

“I absolutely do not see how a gas embargo would end the war. If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin had been open to economic arguments, he would never have started this crazy war,” he said.

“Second, you act like it’s for money. But it is about avoiding a dramatic economic crisis and the loss of millions of jobs and factories that would never open their doors again.”

Scholz said this would have considerable consequences not only for Germany but also for Europe and the future funding of Ukraine’s reconstruction.