German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden have emphasized their support for Ukraine.
This came as they addressed reporters ahead of closed-door talks at the Chancellery in Berlin.
Scholz stated, “We are supporting Ukraine as powerfully as we can and at the same time we are making sure that NATO does not become a party to the war, so that this war does not turn into an even bigger catastrophe.” “We will stand side by side with Ukraine for as long as is necessary,” he continued.
“Putin has miscalculated. Together, we are committed to a strong NATO that defends every square centimeter of alliance territory. Every member of our alliance can rely on it.”
Olaf Scholz
On his part, Biden praised Scholz for fundamentally reversing Germany’s long-standing principle of not sending or selling weapons to conflict areas in response to Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
He stated that since the invasion of Ukraine, the German Chancellor showed the leadership and wisdom to recognize that this war meant a turning point in European history, and you resolved to act.
He also welcomed Germany’s increase in defense spending to a NATO target of 2% of gross domestic product, saying, “Germany and the US are the two biggest supporters of Ukraine as an independent nation. Please keep it up!”
Biden promised that the US, Germany and the rest of Europe would continue to boost efforts to support Ukraine’s military and infrastructure, and to help Kyiv recover by unlocking the value of frozen Russian efforts.
“I know the cost is heavy but make no mistake: it pales in comparison to the cost of living in a world where dictators can simply take what they want.”
Joe Biden
Additionally, the US President said that Germany was one of his country’s most important allies.
He noted that stability in Europe and around the world depends on a “tight US-German relationship.”
Meanwhile, Scholz said that the relationship was “extraordinarily close, full of trust,” adding, “I know this is not something we can take for granted.”
Scholz said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has “shaken the European security order to its foundation.”
Nonetheless, he stressed that Germany is committed to “Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity” and would stand by Kyiv’s side “as long as necessary.”
He averred that it is thanks to Biden’s leadership that Putin’s plans failed.
Scholz Hopes Sinwar’s Death Would Open Ceasefire Door
Moreover, German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz expressed hope that the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar would open the door to a ceasefire agreement and the release of Israeli captives.
He insisted that Israel has the right to defend itself. “It’s important for me to say this very clearly, we stand on the side of Israel,” he added.
Speaking alongside Scholz in Berlin, Biden said that Sinwar had “the blood of Israelis, Palestinians, Americans, Germans and so many others” on his hands.
He said that he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he should use this moment as “a chance to take the path to peace, to a better future in Gaza without Hamas.”
Biden also praised Scholz’s government for “standing firm against the vicious surge of anti-Semitism, hatred and extremism” directed at Israel.
Later, Biden and Scholz will also be discussing the ongoing crisis in the Middle East with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Tensions in the region rose further the day before Biden’s arrival in Berlin when the Israeli military killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwarin the Gaza Strip, a move which Biden called “a moment of justice.”
READ ALSO: Ablakwa Discusses the Reconfiguration of Parliamentary Committees and Its Implications
