German chancellor says Russian strike challenges ‘European security architecture’

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said this Wednesday in Lisbon that Russia’s attack on Ukraine is “a challenge and a threat to the entire European security architecture.”

The German politician is in Portugal to attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Socialist Party (PS) and spoke at a joint press conference with his Portuguese counterpart António Costa.

“The Russian attack on Ukraine is a challenge for all of us. It is not only a threat to Ukraine, it is a threat to the entire European security architecture, to its neighbors, which we cannot and do not want to allow,” the head of the German government said.

Highlighting the atmosphere of mutual trust, common values ​​and consensus on a number of decisive issues on a global scale, the German social democratic leader, who met with António Costa in the afternoon and for about an hour and a half at the official residence of the Prime Minister in São Bento, emphasized willingness to continue to provide “political, financial, humanitarian” support to Ukraine.

“And also with weapons, how we do it and how much is needed,” he stressed.

In this context, he expressed Portugal’s “special recognition” for supporting Ukraine, namely the “presence” of three German-made Leopard II tanks already sent to the fighting.

“A very important sign” in terms of cooperation between the two countries, Scholz said.

“In parallel, the European Union (EU) should better fulfill its geopolitical function and increase the EU’s ability to act, namely in relation to the global expansion of the western Balkans, as well as Ukraine, Georgia,” he continued.

The German chancellor already during the question and answer period insisted on the need to prepare a “European future”, including on the basis of the financial stability of the eurozone, as well as ensuring more diversified trade relations and broader trade agreements.

“Portugal is also a good partner in the fight against climate change and is one of the first in the field of a green economy,” Scholz added after a meeting in which the two leaders addressed the issue of alternative energy sources, accelerated by the Ukraine conflict, as well as in the “green hydrogen corridor.”

Speaking about the need for a permanent financial instrument of the EU to prevent crises, the German Chancellor reiterated the need for growing cooperation between the various member states of the community bloc and believes that the European Cooperation Fund contributes to economic stabilization.

“Action that has had an effect and many of these funds will be available for many years in terms of reliable funding and with the huge efforts of Portugal in this area,” he stressed.

In conclusion, speaking about the Ukrainian conflict, Scholz spoke about other aspects raised at the meeting with Kosta.

“We hope for a quick end to the war, but it may be something that will continue, and we also considered this aspect and exchanged views,” said Olaf Scholz, also highlighting the priorities set in the current period: air defense systems, tanks, man-portable complexes and other systems associated with the American Patriot system, battle tanks and ammunition for them.

The Russian military offensive into Ukraine, launched on February 24 last year, plunged Europe into the most serious security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).

Already in a brief reference to the current crisis in Sudan, the site of fighting since Saturday against the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, the German politician indicated that this is a “complicated and dangerous” situation. to be followed “very carefully”.