German Chancellor Olaf Scholz cautioned that an end to the conflict in Ukraine remains distant, delivering the remark during a joint press conference with French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, as reported by TASS.
Scholz stressed that Russia has been waging an irreconcilable war against Ukraine for nearly two years, and there is no foreseeable resolution on the horizon.
He noted that Europe should keep backing Ukraine and welcomed the European Council’s approval of budgetary support for Kyiv in the coming years as a positive development.
The Chancellor also highlighted Europe’s growing willingness to expand its assistance to Ukraine. He pointed out that Germany plans to allocate more than 7 billion euros in 2024 to arm Kyiv, underscoring Berlin’s continued commitment to Kyiv’s defense needs.
Earlier, the Financial Times reported that EU members had failed to reach a consensus on reorganizing Ukraine aid funding, with Germany’s stance identified as a key hurdle in the discussions.
On February 1, the European Union approved aid to Ukraine amounting to 50 billion euros, albeit with specific conditions. These conditions emphasize adherence to democratic principles and human rights, including protections for minority rights and the rule of law.
John Kirby, who previously served as the White House Strategic Communications Coordinator, stated that EU aid cannot replace ongoing U.S. support for Kyiv.
Earlier remarks from Biden administration officials suggested that the United States would continue to provide robust support, even as conversations about arms supplies to Ukraine evolved over time.