
Germany's Scholz blocks further military aid to Ukraine

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and other lawmakers have criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz for refusing further military aid to Kiev.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under criticism from lawmakers from across the political spectrum, including his foreign minister, for refusing to approve a further €3 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
Speaking on national television earlier this week, Scholz said he would only agree to the military aid package if new debt was issued to finance it, instead of cuts to social spending.
The additional money, which would supplement the €4 billion in aid to Kiev already committed to 2025 in a temporary budget, would mainly fund weapons for Ukraine's air defense, euronews writes, according to Telegraph.
But opposition politicians and even Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock have criticized Scholz's stance - either directly or indirectly - and accused him of electoral manipulation.
"Germany as a whole is not currently seen as a driving force for peace politics in Europe, and frankly that hurts me," Baerbock said.
"Even now, during the election campaign, some prioritize a national perspective – or how to quickly win a few votes in parliamentary elections – instead of taking real responsibility for ensuring the peace and freedom of Europe," Baerbock added, without mentioning Scholz by name.
It is known that Germany has set February 23 as the date for early elections.
Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) is third in the latest opinion polls with 16%, behind the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) with 20%, and the center-right alliance between the CDU and CSU with 31%.
The CDU, CSU and FDP generally support providing more aid to Kiev, but are against taking on additional debt to finance it.
Therefore, it is currently unclear whether the 3 billion euro package will be approved before the country's parliamentary elections next month.

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Drama e Anila Prendushit dhe “varri” që i hapi vetes prej dashurisë


Edi Rama and Sali Berisha, like a two-headed beast facing Justice!
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