Germany is discussing security guarantees for Ukraine, but they will not be the same as those for a NATO member, German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz told public broadcaster ARD on Sunday.
“We are discussing with close allies the issue of security guarantees that we can offer. It is an ongoing process. [Mas] it’s clear they won’t be the same as a NATO member.”
Scholz, who took office in December following Angela Merkel’s long stint in power, has come under fire for an alleged lack of leadership in Ukraine’s crisis and empathy for the German population in the face of the rising inflation that the conflict in Eastern Europe has helped. to feed.
But the Social Democrat, whose mechanical style of communication has given him the nickname “Scholzomat”, said he didn’t want to be “one of those politicians who make a promise a week and don’t keep 90% of them”.
“Especially in times of difficulty, it’s not the time for people to constantly say something, it’s the time for people to make sure the basic decisions are made.”
Scholz said he was “very concerned” about the impact of rising inflation on energy, but called for the government to assess the impact of its latest billion-dollar relief package before considering a new one.
“Next year will be the biggest challenge. For this year, almost everyone who did the math says we’re going to offset about 90% of the increases for low- and middle-income households with current measures.”
The prime minister also refuted criticism that he is too cautious, pointing to the record increase in the minimum wage and the radical change in defense policy: after decades, the country has sent weapons to a conflict zone and created a fund of 100 billion euros. (R$ 556 billion) for military expenses.
