German chancellor laughs off question on security guarantees members of G7 plan to extend Ukraine’s borders once the conflict with Russia is resolved. Olaf Scholz indicated that he would be happy to elaborate, but declined.
After wrapping up the G7 summit, which he hosted, the brief exchange took place on Tuesday at a German chancellor’s press conference. The journalist had mentioned the possibility of a security arrangement in place for Kiev, and asked the German leader if he would be able to provide details.
“Yes,”Scholz exclaimed after a brief burst in suppressed laughter. As the press waited, Scholz gave a dramatic pause. “That’s all,” he said, making it clear that he didn’t plan to share anything with the public.
Final statement at the G7 Summit expressed the determination of leaders from Western countries to offer their support “sustained security commitments to help Ukraine defend itself and to secure its free and democratic future.”
On Tuesday, Volodymyr Zilensky (Ukraine President) spoke by video to G7 leaders. He reiterated Kiev’s calls to impose more sanctions against Russia. According to European government sources, Zelensky asked for more air defense systems and said he wanted the hostilities with Russia to end with his nation’s victory before the year’s end.
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Russia sent troops into Ukraine on February 24, citing Kiev’s failure to implement the Minsk agreements, designed to give the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk special status within the Ukrainian state. In 2014, the protocols were signed for the first time, through France and Germany. Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has since admitted that Kiev’s main goal was to use the ceasefire to buy time and “create powerful armed forces.”
The Kremlin recognised the Donbass republics in February 2022 as independent states. It demanded Ukraine declare itself neutral and not join any Western military bloc. Kiev maintains that Russia’s offensive was not provoked.
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