Scholz also reiterated his opposition to NATO membership.
Voice of America reports that NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, held a press conference together in Berlin on the 4th of November. They discussed NATO’s continued support for Ukraine as the war against Russia intensifies.
Rutte emphasized that NATO faces a frontline that now extends beyond Ukraine to regions such as the Baltic or Western Europe.
“If Putin wins the Ukraine, he will not stop there,” said he. “Russia is already conducting an intensifying campaign hybrid attacks across our Allied territory interfering directly with our democracies, sabotaging industries and committing violence. All of this is to weaken us and sow division.”
He emphasized NATO’s readiness in all domains to combat these threats: land, sea and air, as well as cyberspace.
Rutte praised Germany for its significant contributions to Ukraine’s desense.
“Germany is now the second largest contributor to Ukraine, after the United States. It has spent $28 billion on military aid. We must continue to do this. We must ensure that our defense production is increased. We must ensure that Ukraine will prevail and that Putin won’t get his way in Ukraine.”
Scholz also reiterated his opposition to any new NATO steps for Ukraine. He expressed his satisfaction with the decisions made at the NATO summits held in Vilnius and Washington. These decisions, he said, are in line with the current situation.
Scholz asserted,
“I don’t think there is any need for new decisions.” He said that the situation was identical to when we made these decisions, and reaffirmed Germany’s commitment towards Ukraine. He also stressed that “we” need to ensure that Ukraine doesn’t run out of weapons or armaments.
Scholz’s cautious approach to NATO membership was criticized, especially by retired US Lieutenant-General Ben Hodges. He was the former commander of US Army Europe. Hodges commented about X.
“I don’t ever want to hear a German politician say ‘never again’ if Bundeskanzler Scholz represents the true feelings of most Germans about Ukraine and Russia. Germany is losing its moral authority that it has earned over the past 75 years because of its appeasement, and failure to stand against Russia.
Political analysts have criticized Germany’s reluctance to join NATO, and some Berlin officials have suggested a “neutral status” for Ukraine, similar to Finland’s previous model.
Rutte addressed the reports of North Korean troops stationed in Russia during the briefing. He described it as “a significant escalation.”
He emphasized,
“[This deployment] makes [us] even more focused and determined in making sure that Ukraine has everything it needs to fight the Russians including the North Koreans.”
Secretary General Rutte said that NATO is working closely with Indo-Pacific Partners to maintain Euro-Atlantic as well as regional security in the face of these developments.
Rutte’s conclusion on Ukraine’s path towards NATO membership was:
“This” (support for Ukraine, and bilateral security pacts – Ed. ) All together, they form the bridge towards NATO membership on a longer-term basis. I am absolutely certain that one day Ukraine is going to be a NATO member.”
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