Scholz wants a clear message against the use of Russian nuclear weapons
Published: Monday, May 6th 2024, 19:10
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Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to continue to work internationally for unity among the powers against the Russian use of nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine. "It is always important to say loudly that nuclear weapons must not be used in this war," said the SPD politician in Riga on Monday. Work is being done towards a peace conference in Switzerland and this must be one of the clear messages.
On Monday, Russia announced a maneuver by its tactical nuclear forces on the orders of President Vladimir Putin. More than two years after the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine, this was seen as an attempt at intimidation by the Kremlin.
Scholz made his first visit to Latvia as Federal Chancellor on Monday, personally visiting all three Baltic states and NATO partners. He said that Russia had miscalculated with its war of aggression against Ukraine: instead of dividing Europe and weakening Nato, unity had been strengthened.
Like her counterparts Kaja Kallas from Estonia and Ingrida Simonyte from Lithuania, the host Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina paid tribute to Germany's military support for the Baltic states. They referred to the German contribution to the NATO airspace surveillance over the Baltic States, which was carried out from Latvia for the first time this year, and the stationing of a Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania.
All three politicians called on the partners in Europe and NATO to spend more money on defense in view of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. With a view to the upcoming NATO summit, Simonyte said: "Alongside Poland, the Baltic states are setting a good example when it comes to defense investment by spending well over two percent of their gross domestic product on it."
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