In his column for the Wall Street Journal, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote about the importance of Western support for Ukraine, keeping NATO strong and resisting Putin's attempts to divide allies.
What should the West do to help Ukraine
After two years of war, Ukraine is resisting the Russian onslaught thanks to the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people, the financial and humanitarian support of the West and the supply of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine.
Our message is clear: we must do everything possible to prevent Russia from winning. If we don't, we may soon wake up to a world even more unstable, threatening, and unpredictable than it was during the Cold War.
Olaf Scholz
Chancellor of Germany
Scholz writes that Ukraine may soon face a severe shortage of weapons and ammunition. He outlined the steps the West needs to take to support Ukraine further:
First, allies must continue to support.
On February 1, the European Council allocated an additional 54 billion dollars in financial aid to Ukraine over the next four years.
This should be supplemented by additional military assistance. Like the US and other countries, Germany is ready to provide Kyiv with long-term security commitments and agreements.
Second, the Allies must continue strategically moving on both sides of the Atlantic.
Scholz writes that Putin is trying to undermine the unity of the allies and turn the citizens of their countries against supporting Ukraine. The West must show that disinformation campaigns do not work by convincing citizens on both sides of the Atlantic that a Russian victory will make the world much more dangerous.
Thirdly, the Allies do not see themselves at war with Russia and do not seek confrontation with Russia. Scholz noted that they will resist any attempts to involve NATO in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Fourth, NATO's collective deterrence and defence must be credible. Germany significantly increased defence spending to 2% of GDP and launched the European Sky Shield Initiative.
Scholz is convinced that the sooner Putin understands that the allies have long-term plans to help Ukraine, the sooner the war in Ukraine will end.
The only way we can contribute to lasting peace is to maintain our unity and resolve. We must stand with Ukraine as long as it takes.
