DW reported on May 28 that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Berlin on Wednesday (May 28) and was welcomed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The two held talks at the Chancellery and then attended a joint press conference. Scholz stated that Germany would further increase pressure on Russia while continuing and expanding military aid to Ukraine. He announced that the two countries would sign an intent agreement for purchasing long-range weapon systems, which are not subject to range restrictions. Ukraine can use these weapons for comprehensive defense and attack military targets outside its borders. Additionally, Germany agreed to jointly produce long-range missiles with Ukraine. Scholz did not mention in the press conference whether Germany would provide Kiev with Storm Shadow cruise missiles, but before Zelenskyy's arrival in Berlin, German Chancellery Chief Helge Braun hinted to the media that this possibility could not be ruled out. Scholz also ruled out the possibility of restarting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to transport natural gas from Russia to Germany. He said that the current German government would do everything possible to prevent Nord Stream 2 from coming into operation.
Commentary: Chancellor Scholz's meeting with Zelenskyy and a series of decisions have undoubtedly pushed the Russia-Ukraine conflict to a more dangerous edge. Scholz's announcement to increase pressure on Russia and expand military aid to Ukraine is Germany's further demonstration of its position within the US-led Western camp, attempting to play a more dominant role in European affairs. The United States' attitude toward the Russia-Ukraine conflict has gradually become vague, and some European countries are eager to demonstrate their influence; Germany's move aims to gain more say in European security affairs.
From a military perspective, Germany's agreement to jointly produce long-range missiles with Ukraine and the lifting of weapon range restrictions will significantly change the balance of power on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield. Once Ukraine has access to long-range weapons capable of attacking Russian territory, Russia's strategic depth will be compressed, inevitably leading to more intense military countermeasures, escalating the scale and intensity of the war. By participating in this process, Germany will also face retaliation risks from Russia, directly threatening its national security.
In the energy sector, Scholz's rejection of restarting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is more due to political rather than economic considerations. Germany has been caught in a dilemma regarding sanctions on Russian energy. Stopping the input of Russian natural gas has caused a sharp rise in Germany's energy costs, impacting people's lives and industrial development.
The Scholz government believes that Russia's actions threaten Europe's security and stability. Therefore, it hopes to change Russia's stance in the conflict by increasing support for Ukraine and exerting more pressure on Russia, attempting to reshape Europe's security order and reduce Russia's "threat" to European security.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833401988739080/
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