The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is turning old certainties on their head. According to Chancellor Scholz, European solutions are needed to be prepared for aggression. In addition to an EU headquarters, he therefore also wants to set up a joint air defense system.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to build a new air defense system together with European neighbors. A jointly built system "would be a security gain for the whole of Europe," Scholz said in a speech at Charles University in Prague. It would also be cheaper and more efficient than national solutions.
"European answers to the turning point are needed," said Scholz. To do this, Europe must become more autonomous in defense policy. As a consequence of the Ukraine war, Scholz also advocated "a real EU headquarters" in the medium term and a rapid reaction force from 2025. Scholz confirmed that Germany wants to provide the "core" for the planned unit with around 5,000 soldiers at the beginning.
He offered Ukraine stronger German support in the fight against Russia. "I can imagine, for example, that Germany will take on special responsibility for building up Ukrainian artillery and air defense," said the Chancellor. "We should quickly agree on such a system of coordinated support. And thereby underpin our commitment to a free, independent Ukraine in the long term."
In view of the war, he pointed out how important it was to defend the idea of Europe together. Ukraine is therefore being supported economically, financially, politically, humanitarianally and also militarily - on this point "Germany has fundamentally changed course in recent months". Germany will reliably maintain this support - "for as long as necessary".
Scholz also announced an international expert conference on October 25 in Berlin on the reconstruction of Ukraine, to which he is inviting together with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. According to Scholz, the country's reconstruction will be "an effort of generations", which is why there must be international coordination and a smart, resilient strategy.
