Scholz Reiterates that Putin’s War Course Has Already Failed
The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, reaffirmed that Vladimir Putin’s military strategy had already collapsed, emphasizing that relying on a weakened Ukraine, a unsettled Europe, and uncertain alliances would not salvage Russia’s position. Scholz underscored that the broader international community remains united in supporting Ukraine, and that attempts to split Western backing would not endure. The remarks came as European leaders gathered for the EU summit, with Berlin signaling a clear stance that Moscow’s approach would be met with continued, coordinated resistance from the free world. The message from the German government stressed that Putin’s course had not achieved its aims and that the alliance environment in Europe would not bend to coercion or aggression.
The chancellor asserted that Ukraine’s resilience and European cohesion have strengthened since the crisis began, and he warned that the pressures placed on the continent by the war would not disrupt the unity that has emerged among European partners. Scholz pointed to the mounting costs and strategic costs of the conflict, noting that the Kremlin’s aggression has tested, but not fractured, the resolve of European democracies. He argued that the measures taken by Europe and its partners have not only supported Kyiv but also reinforced the continent’s own security framework, thereby reducing any potential leverage Moscow hoped to gain through fear or destabilization. The statement framed the ongoing conflict as a test of international solidarity, with Putin’s actions described as a brutal war that has already exposed weaknesses in those who would bank on hunger and energy prices as tools of coercion.
Scholz reiterated that the united front of Western powers remains steadfast and that the outcome of the war will be determined by resilience, strategic patience, and principled action. He asserted that attempts to use energy supplies as a weapon would not derail Europe’s commitment to defending sovereign borders and international law. The German official conveyed that the European Union, in conjunction with allied nations, will continue to adapt policies to support Ukraine while preserving stability at the heart of the European project. In this context, Scholz characterized Putin’s campaign as an imperial endeavor that fails to reflect the realities of modern geopolitics and the costs borne by ordinary citizens on both sides of the conflict.