Scholz: No illusions about Putin's plans after Ukraine
Former German chancellor Olaf Scholz issued a strong warning against harbouring illusions about the further plans of Russian President Vladimir Putin at a party event on Saturday.
The Kremlin leader wants to hold on to his partial conquest of Ukraine and would "like it to be even bigger," said Scholz in Berlin, where he was bid farewell from office by his Social Democrats (SPD).
However, Putin must not succeed in shifting borders by force, Scholz said. In doing so in Ukraine, he had cancelled decades of understanding in post-war Europe.
Consequences have been drawn from this turning point, he noted.
"The Bundeswehr [German armed forces] will become stronger and cooperation within NATO has reached new dimensions. That is also right," said Scholz, stressing the importance and magnitude of the task.
He also called on high earners to contribute more to financing the nation's defence capability instead of seeking tax cuts.
"That's an interesting mathematical calculation," said Scholz. "I certainly believe that we are being called upon to show new solidarity in our country."
Under Scholz, who was succeeded by Chancellor Friedrich Merz in May, Germany's ruling coalition committed to a €100-billion ($117-billion) development plan for the Bundeswehr.
It also increased its arms exports to Ukraine following the 2022 invasion ordered by Putin.
During the conference, delegates are discussing divisive issues including the party stance on Russia.
Germany's SPD has been criticized for historical sympathies towards Moscow harboured within the party, especially in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On Friday, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius firmly rejected calls for a shift in policy towards Russia, pointing to the realities presented by Putin.
Pistorius was responding to SPD grandee Ralf Stegner, the co-author of a position paper calling for a shift in Germany's approach to Russia.
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