BERLIN — On the last Saturday in February, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gathered his top advisers in his vast, glass-walled office and read aloud a speech condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — remarks that would transform his nation’s security and defense policy.
As he voiced particular phrases in the draft, his advisers proposed alternatives. Scholz, 63, who has known his nation only at peace, was desperate to avert a third world war, said a senior German official who, like others close to the chancellor, spoke on the condition of anonymity to recount private discussions. Initially, that concern made Scholz reluctant to speak of armaments, and above all, of sending weapons to Ukraine.
But when aides presented the chancellor with the question of arming Ukraine directly or simply releasing German-made weapons purchased by partner nations, a request being weighed the same day, he approved both — assessing that there was sufficient support within his government and party to jettison Germany’s long-standing aversion to exporting weapons into conflict zones.
from USA News – usanewsplug https://ift.tt/zahjrbJ
via IFTTT