The message to Moscow is that “we are capable of defending every square of our Alliance. And we will be in the future as well.” said the chancellor Olaf Solz from the Munich Security Conference, while, with an eye on donald trump, rejected any attempt to undermine NATO’s cohesion. Referring to the new crisis in the Middle East, he stressed that Israel “knows well how we think this war should be fought” and repeated the demand for the creation of humanitarian corridors in Gaza.

“The Russian threat is real. This is why our deterrent force must remain reliable. We do not want a conflict with Russia, we do not send our own soldiers, but Putin must understand: We are able to defend every square meter of our Alliance. And we will be in the future,” the chancellor said and underlined NATO’s determination to continue its support to Ukraine.

“The good thing about this whole story is that we are more united than ever. Finland and Sweden have decided to join NATO,” added Mr Scholz, referring to Germany’s achievement of NATO’s defense spending target of 2% of its GDP, while calling on Europeans to do more to the support of Ukraine, but also for their own defense – regardless of who wins the US election or how the war in Ukraine ends.

German-American relations are “better than ever” and Europe must contribute its fair share, he said, reiterating the call for an increase in European munitions production. “The US provides $20 billion in aid a year. We Europeans should make at least a comparable effort,” he said.

To a question about the system Taurus which Ukraine is asking for, Mr. Solz limited himself to countering that Berlin would allocate at least $7 billion for 2024 alone to strengthen Ukrainian defense and that “decisions will be made at the appropriate time.”

Answering a question about the economic problems facing his country, Mr Olaf Solz admitted that there are difficulties, but stressed that Germany is the world’s strongest exporting nation and will do whatever is necessary to cover its defense spending. “There is no need to worry about the German economy,” he said.

Asked about it with the new flare-up in the Middle East, the chancellor underlined his government’s firm position on a two-state solution in the region, recognized Israel’s right to defend itself, but at the same time called for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. “The way this war is being waged must be in accordance with international law,” he said and, when asked whether the Israeli military respected international law, simply repeated that “Israel clearly knows how we think it should be waged the war by the Israeli forces”.