Solz: Limited for now the risk of using nuclear weapons by Russia

“Limited for now” considers the chancellor Olaf Solz him risk of Russia using nuclear weapons in the war against Ukrainehowever, emphasizes that Berlin wants to advance its missile defense plans within the next five years, while assuring that the target for defense spending at 2% of GDP is still valid.

On the occasion of the completion, today, of one year since the formation of the coalition government, in an interview with the newspapers of the Funke Group, Olaf Solz expresses the opinion that the possibility of the Russian side using nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine “is currently limited”, due to pressure from the international community, which, as Mr. Soltz says, “has drawn a red line.” In fact, it mainly refers to the position taken by Chinese President Xi Jinping against the use of nuclear weapons, during the chancellor’s visit to Beijing. This position was later repeated by the Group of Twenty (G20). Yesterday anyway Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the risk of nuclear war is increasing, clarifying however that his country would only use nuclear weapons in response.

Mr. Soltz also refers to German initiative for missile defense in Europe (Sky-Shield) and points out that his government’s ambition is to have the project completed within the next five years. “Right now, the government is talking with the manufacturers of the various systems and preparing for specific decisions,” the chancellor says. Responding to a related question, he reiterates his stated goal of increasing defense spending to 2% of GDP, as NATO also requires. The Sky-Shield system, which will be developed in cooperation with other European states, is part of this framework, he explains.

Referring to energy crisis and in the situation in Germany, Mr. Solz, according to APE-MPE, appears reassuring: “Our country will cope with the winter rather well”, he declares and adds that Germany supports Ukraine in its resistance against the Russian attack. In addition, he notes, “we gave new impetus to renewable energy imgs and began the modernization of our economy.”

Invited to comment his first year in the chancellor amid crisesbut also polls that want the majority of Germans dissatisfied with the government’s performance, Olaf Scholz limits himself to declaring: “I am satisfied that we are stable enough in these turbulent times with so many challenges. And I’m grateful for the level of support I have and the opportunity to get even more support so we can win again. I want the governing coalition to be in such good shape that they will receive the mandate again.” He also replies, “Of course!”, when asked if he plans to run again in the next election.