German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has demanded that American lawmakers keep funding Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia ahead of his state visit to the US.
Writing in a guest Op-Ed for The Wall Street Journal, Scholz argued it was “essential” that Western leaders on both sides of the Atlantic remain firm in their support for Kyiv.
A failure to do so, he said, would end up costing the US “far more” than its support for Ukraine would.
“A Russian victory in Ukraine would not only be the end of Ukraine as a free, democratic and independent state, it would also dramatically change the face of Europe,” he said in his editorial on February 7.
“Russia’s brutal attempt to steal territory by force could serve as a blueprint for other authoritarian leaders around the globe.
“More countries would run the risk of falling prey to a nearby predator.”
Scholz added that the circumstances of the conflict have led to Ukraine “running dry” on a number of much-needed supplies including weapons and ammunition. In light of that, he said further commitments from the US and Europe were now needed to keep Kyiv “in the game”.
“The long-term consequences and costs of failing to stop [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s aggression would dwarf any of the investments that we are making now,” the Chancellor added.
“The sooner Mr Putin understands that we are in this for the long haul, the sooner the war in Ukraine will end. The only way that we can contribute to a lasting peace is by keeping up our support, unity and resolve.
“We must stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” he said.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is to push US politicians to agree on a deal to fund Ukraine during an official visit to the country. https://t.co/rAZZmc9xnQ
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) February 7, 2024
According to many, Scholz’s article serves as the latest warning from the Chancellor to the US regarding the state of the Ukraine war.
While the European Union managed to agree an increased spending package for Ukraine in the past few days, it is felt American lawmakers are still dragging their heels on the issue, with Republican politicians especially wary about handing Kyiv more support.
That has led to something of a political impasse in the country, with a planned $60 billion worth of extra funding for Ukraine in limbo because of the disagreement.
Scholz is now travelling to the US in the hope of helping to break the deadlock, with reports indicating he will meet with US President Joe Biden on the evening of February 8.
He is also scheduled to have dinner with Congressmen from both the Republican and Democratic parties, also seemingly to try to find a compromise on the matter.
Boris Johnson is the West’s strongest advocate for Ukraine, yet is backing Trump for the White House: The strategy makes sense, writes Derrick Wyatt. @BlogWyatt https://t.co/IQ9zCkr6uw
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) February 7, 2024
