Scholz: Ukraine needs a strong army in times of peace, too

London (dpa) - According to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a future peace order for Ukraine must be based on the principle that the country will be able to defend itself and have a strong army. “It will also have to remain large in times of peace - far beyond Ukraine’s economic potential,” Scholz said after the special Ukraine summit in London. This means that support for Ukraine must remain considerable even once the war comes to an end, he explained. “It is the land under attack, a victim of Russian aggression,” he said. “This is the truth that is unchanged and clear to everyone.” CDU chief Friedrich Merz, who is likely to become Germany’s new chancellor, thanked UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron for their efforts to achieve a “just peace” in the Ukraine war.

The European states had pledged their support to Ukraine at the summit. The United Kingdom, France and other countries would draw up a plan to end the fighting, announced Starmer. “Then we will discuss this plan with the United States and deliver it together.” Starmer warned emphatically that Europe was “at a crossroads” in history. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged for the EU’s military capacities to be strengthened. “We urgently have to rearm Europe,” von der Leyen said. To this end, she intends to present a comprehensive plan for Europe’s rearmament to heads of state and government at a special summit in Brussels on Thursday.