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Baerbock turns his back on Scholz: He is sacrificing peace for a few votes

Baerbock turns his back on Scholz: He is sacrificing peace for a few votes

Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz for blocking additional military aid to Ukraine, accusing him of endangering peace in Europe in an attempt to "win a few votes" ahead of elections in the European Union's largest country.

Baerbock, whose Green party is presenting itself as Kiev's strongest supporter in the campaign for the upcoming federal election, said it was "really difficult" that Scholz refused to approve an additional three billion euros for arms purchases.

Without mentioning Scholz by name, Baerbock claimed that he could not understand the fact "how some politicians try to win a few votes in the general election" and that this is more important than the responsibility for ensuring peace and freedom in Europe, writes derspiegel.


"Responsible politics does not mean going with the flow, and perhaps even changing direction during the election campaign," said Baerbock.

Support for Ukraine against Russian aggression has become an issue in the election campaign ahead of the vote in Germany on February 23, as European nations are trying to boost support for Kiev amid fears that Donald Trump could cut American aid after being inaugurated as US president.

Scholz tried to downplay concerns, saying he does not expect the US under Trump to "stop supporting Ukraine in its defense."

Otherwise, Germany is the second largest donor of military aid to Ukraine after the US.

Baerbock and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, a member of Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), support additional funding for the purchase of military equipment to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia, which attacked its neighbor almost three years ago.

The additional money, which would be above the 4 billion euros foreseen for 2025 in the interim budget, would be used for purchases, including three new Iris-T anti-aircraft batteries, as well as air defense missiles and artillery shells.

The Chancellor has stated that he will only approve the money if the "debt brake" that places strict limits on state borrowing is stopped.

The CDU has signaled that it is willing to support a new package for Ukraine, but not if it means more debt. /Telegraph/

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