Dependence on Russian gas will be reduced by building two new gas terminals.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Sunday a fundamental change in German foreign and security policy.
Speaking at a special session of the Bundestag, Scholz announced that Germany plans to increase its defense budget this year
one hundred billion euros and will increase its defense spending to more than 2% of GDP.
Scholz justified the change in defense policy with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to Scholz, a special Bundeswehr fund must be enshrined in the country’s constitution.
Last year, German defense spending did not rise above 1.4% of GDP, well below NATO’s 2% recommendation.
Already on Saturday, Germany made a fundamental line change yesterday when it decided to allow arms exports to Ukraine, which is about to receive 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 anti-aircraft missiles. In the past, Germany had tended to halt the approval process for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
“No other option”
Scholz stated that the president Vladimir Putin the attack had to be answered. The Russian attack is a turning point in European history, he said.
“There was no other option in response to Putin’s aggression,” Scholz said.
According to Scholz, there may be new sanctions ahead.
– Let’s not deceive ourselves. Putin will not change course overnight. But very soon the Russian leadership will feel how high it will cost.
Foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said at the same session that Germany could today leave behind a special and unique restraint in its foreign and security policy.
– The rules we have set for ourselves must not exclude responsibility. If the world has changed, our policies must change, Baerbock, who represents the Greens.
Change of direction
Germany’s dependence on Russian energy supplies will be reduced by building two new LNG terminals for liquefied natural gas imports as soon as possible.
– We are changing our direction to reduce our dependence on individual energy suppliers, Scholz announced.
In addition, Germany’s coal and gas reserves will be increased.
Scholz’s speech was described as a major change of direction in traditional German foreign policy.
– It made the sacred cows of German foreign policy a goulash in one fell swoop, summed up the journalist who followed Scholz’s speech Jeremy Cliffe.
Head of the Berlin office of the Economist Tom Nuttall noted that at the same time, Scholz renounced even the last dreams of the Social Democrats about Russia.