During the debate before the Bundestag election, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and a candidate for chancellor Friedrich Merz They presented their positions on Ukraine membership in NATO and German military support for Kiev. Both politicians agreed that the war should end as soon as possible, but they differed in the assessment of the actions to be taken.
Scholz expressed skepticism to the rapid reception of Ukraine to NATOindicating the lack of consent from the USA. – The American government clearly rejected the possibility of membership of Ukraine in NATO in the near future he said. He also noted that it is crucial to strengthen the defense capabilities Kiev and long -term safety guarantees.
Merz agreed that Ukraine cannot join the alliance during the ongoing warbut he emphasized the importance of her integration with European Union. – EU membership is a chance for greater safety and stability for Ukraine – said the leader CDU. Unlike Scholz He did not refer to the future of Ukraine in NATO after the end of the conflict.
Germany and military support for Ukraine
Both politicians also referred to German military support for Ukraine. Scholz reminded that Germany They are one of the main providers of military assistance, but again ruled out the handing over of the Taurus rockets. – Our support must be responsible. We cannot allow a situation in which the conflict gets out of control – the Chancellor argued.
On the other hand Merz criticized the government's current approach to help Ukraine, accusing him of no determination. – West, including Germany, should act bolder and faster. Delaying with decisions only extends this conflict – said the leader of the CDU. He also emphasized that It is necessary to better coordinate military assistance within the European Union.
Ukraine in NATO? An application was submitted
Ukraine officially submitted an application for membership in NATO on September 30, 2022citing the need to ensure lasting safety before Russian aggression. In the following months of the Alliance, they expressed support for the future membership of Ukraine, but without the unequivocal determination of the date of its accession. In October 2024, the president Wołodymyr Zelanskiafter meeting with the Secretary General Marek Rutte, he again emphasized that Ukraine is ready to join the alliance.
In January this year, former prime minister Great Britain Boris Johnson stated that Long -lasting peace in Ukraine will not be possible without its full membership in NATO. In turn, Mark Rutte expressed the belief that Ukraine should become a member of the alliance in the future, but It is now too early for that – In his opinion, the priotest is now military help for Ukraine and the end of the war.
Source: Deutsche Welle, Unian, Ukrainian truth