Ukraine has the right, according to international law, to use German weapons against targets in the Russian border region, the chancellor reiterated Olaf Solz, reaffirming her change of attitude of the German government at the same time as the Kremlin unleashes new threats against the West and specifically to the countries that supply Ukraine with weapons.

“Russia has opened a new front against Kharkiv near the border and together with the partners we have agreed that Ukraine has, under international law, the right to defend itself from attacks on its territory, its cities and its citizens and to to use the weapons that we and our allies provide,” the chancellor said from the floor of the Bundestag, adding that the decision was made after much thought and after the US government had preceded it.

He also pointed out that possible peace negotiations with Russia “are still far away”.

Mr. Soltz also assured citizens that he will do everything to ensure that Germany is not drawn into the Russian war against Ukraine. “It is right that we coordinate closely with our allies again and again before making such long-term decisions, and citizens can count on us to always act wisely and carefully weigh the risks,” he continued. “As chancellor, I have this responsibility, to ensure that no child born in Germany ever experiences war in our country. This for me is the absolute priority,” he said and acknowledged that many citizens feared that the war in Ukraine could escalate and endanger peace and security in Germany. “There is nothing naïve about worrying about peace,” he said, while expressing the belief that it will still take time before peace talks with Russia begin, as the Kremlin believes it can still win on the battlefield.

Threats from the Kremlin

The Kremlin, for its part, announced today that Western countries supplying Ukraine with weapons to directly strike Russia are certain to face consequences.

THE Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the above comment after President Vladimir Putin warned yesterday that Moscow could provide long-range weapons to third countries to hit Western targets since the West is also supplying Kiev with such weapons to hit Russia.

Peskov declined to name the countries or regions to which Russia might develop or supply such weapons.

It is recalled that yesterday Vladimir Putin asserted from St. Petersburg speaking to journalists of international media that “if someone thinks it is possible to supply a war zone with such weapons to attack our territory and create problems for us, because we do not have the right to supply our own weapons of the same class to areas of the world to strike sensitive facilities in these (Western) countries?’ pointed out the Russian president from St. Petersburg speaking to journalists of international media.

For the AfD

In his speech to the Bundestag today, Olaf Solz also commented on the Russian president’s statement yesterday that he does not see neo-Nazi elements in the actions of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and would like to work with anyone willing to work with Russia. Soltz spoke for “shameful praise” for whom, as he said, the party “has worked very hard”.

The leader of the Parliamentary Group of the Christian Union (CDU/CSU) for his part accused the Chancellor of constant hesitation and fear in supporting Ukraine. “This is not prudence. It’s hesitation, it’s fear, it’s an expression of policy with a wrong assessment of the situation,” he said and blamed a long delay in the government’s decisions. “One day you will also agree to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine. But then it will be too late for the thousands of people and soldiers in Ukraine who will have lost their lives in the meantime,” said Mr. Mertz, addressing the chancellor, who has so far rejected the possibility. However, the head of the CDU agreed at the beginning that “Germany should not be dragged into the war”.