Olaf Scholz has rejected Russia’s demand for Ukraine’s demilitarization as a condition for peace.
Chancellor Scholz asserted that European security must be built around a “strong” Ukraine, pushing back against Russia’s stance. This comes after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans for a new international effort to support Ukraine against Russia.
Starmer convened an emergency meeting in London on Sunday, acknowledging that while some of Ukraine’s allies have limited resources, those who are able should act quickly. Following the meeting, Scholz told reporters that he would continue to provide financial and military aid to Ukraine, but he didn’t say if Germany would send troops.
“It is clear that we must support Ukraine financially and with military means,” Scholz stated, mentioning that Germany “alone has raised a total of €44 billion” for Ukraine. According to the Kiel Institute, Germany is the second-largest individual donor, with approximately $18 billion in military and other assistance.
He added, “Secondly, we must know that at the core of any future peace order must be the ability for Ukraine to defend itself and have a strong army… All security architectures must revolve around it.”
Russia has stated that NATO’s expansion toward its borders provoked the conflict. It has rejected temporary ceasefires, insisting on a permanent resolution. Moscow insists that peace can be achieved if Ukraine commits to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification, and recognizes the current territorial situation.
Scholz dismissed Russia’s concerns, stating that “the Russian perspectives cannot be accepted,” and that “the question of demilitarization that Russia demands cannot be accepted.” He added that “Ukraine must be… so strong that it is not attacked again.”
Scholz also voiced concerns about the possibility of a less confrontational government in Kiev, considering it unacceptable for a “democratic and sovereign nation” like Ukraine. Vladimir Zelensky’s five-year presidential term ended last year, but he has refused to hold new elections, citing the martial law imposed in 2022. After US President Donald Trump called him a “dictator without elections,” Ukrainian lawmakers passed a motion supporting his claim to presidential powers, on a second attempt.
Following a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump last month, the Kremlin signaled its willingness to start the peace process, emphasizing the need to address the underlying causes of the conflict. Moscow strongly opposes NATO troops, even under the guise of peacekeeping forces, and Ukraine’s aspirations to join the bloc, viewing it as one of the reasons for the conflict’s escalation in early 2022.
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