Chancellor Olaf Solz did not rule out a meeting with Putin ahead of the G20 summit in Indonesia in the autumn.
We must “ensure the maximum possible support” for Ukraine on a daily basis, but avoid the risk of escalation, “which could affect the whole world,” Chancellor Olaf Soltz said on Tuesday. Referring to the strengthening of the German armed forces, he said that Germany would acquire the largest conventional army within NATO in Europe.
“In the coming years, we will spend an average of 70-80 billion euros a year on defense,” the chancellor said in an interview with German public television channel ARD. in a good way”.
The conflict in Ukraine is leading to fundamental changes in the defenses of many European countries, and Germany is also affected, the chancellor acknowledged.
Ahead of the G20 summit in Indonesia in the autumn, Soltz said he was likely to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin there. Asked if he would sit at the same table with him, the chancellor replied that everyone had said they would not allow the meeting to take place. “Because that would happen – and it would be a big mistake for international politics,” he said.
Referring to the winter situation in Germany and the possible shortage of gas, Olaf Solz explained that he has been dealing with the issue since the first weeks of his term, long before the war broke out in Ukraine.
Asked if he could promise that the apartments in Germany would stay warm next winter, he said: “I say we have done exactly what we can do and we will take even more steps to prepare for more difficult conditions. However, the situation will not be easy “, while looking at the previous government, he noted that” measures such as the filling of gas storage facilities or the construction of pipelines on the northern German coast could have been taken earlier “.
Asked if he could give practical advice on energy savings, such as Economy Minister Robert Hubbek, who called for a quicker shower and a lower thermostat, Mr Soltz said “no …”. His response was criticized by news sites and users of social networking sites.
Earlier, during a press conference following the G7 summit in Bavaria, a German journalist from Deutsche Welle asked the chancellor: “Could you tell me what security guarantees Germany has given to Ukraine?” , for him to answer “I could” and immediately after to announce the completion of the press conference. His response provoked criticism and comments about arrogance from journalists on social networking sites.
Check out the news feed and stay up to date with the latest news.
