Soltz has come under fire even from within his own government, and last week received strong criticism from opposition leader Friedrich Mertz, who accused him of weak leadership and “procrastination, hesitation and cowardice”. On Sunday, it was reported that Mertz was planning to travel to Kyiv on Monday. Scholz appeared to be succumbing to huge domestic and international pressure last week, announcing that Germany would supply heavy weapons to Ukraine in the form of self-propelled anti-aircraft systems in what was seen as a sharp political shift. However, while Ukraine’s sincere ambassador to Berlin, Andriy Melnyk, welcomed the move, he further pressured Scholz on Sunday, insisting it did not go far enough and demanding more “imagination and courage” from Germany. Responding to the criticism in an interview with the tabloid Bild am Sonntag, Scholz said: “I make my decisions quickly and in conjunction with our allies.” He said that “excessive actions and Germany will be able to do it alone” will be treated with suspicion. Scholz said: “I’m not scared enough to allow myself to be influenced by such accusations.” He insisted that he would not be deceived into changing his strategy due to his record low popularity. “You have to observe the polls, but you do not have to depend on them. “Especially in matters of war and peace, that would be extremely dangerous.” According to the Insa polling institute, 54% of Germans are unhappy with Soltz’s record. Scholz, who has been in power for just five months, found himself at an early stage in tackling the dilemma faced by almost every government leader since World War II – having to draw a fine line between Germany’s international responsibility and avoidance. accusations both at home and abroad that its actions could lead Europe to another war. Melnik, who himself has criticized Germany for its persistent allegations of what it has repeatedly described as a lack of decisive action by the country, said the Gepard anti-aircraft guns it promised last week were inadequate and too old. “The direction is right, but of course they are not enough. Specifically, we are missing ammunition for the Gepards … and in addition it is 40 years old. “In order to defeat Russia, we need the most modern German weapons,” he told Bild. He said his criticism was aimed at “the entire German political class”, accusing Germany of being “very self-absorbed” and urging it to “finally realize its enormous historical responsibility”. Melnik listed the specific weapons that he said Ukraine needed Germany to hand over. “We want the rapid export of 88 Leopard tanks, 100 Marder armored personnel carriers, self-propelled grenades and many more. We have been experiencing the biggest war in Europe for 80 years. “It can not be won with 30 or 100 more anti-aircraft systems.” Melnik acknowledged that Germany had received large numbers of refugees from Ukraine, including his mother-in-law. Officially the number is just under 400,000, according to German border police, although the actual number is believed to be much higher, as registration is not required and they can stay in Germany without a visa for 90 days. Subscribe to the First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7 p.m. BST “I am grateful to Germany for all the help it has provided. “But we are talking about life and death in Ukraine and the survival of my nation.” As the debate between German policymakers rages over when and if Germany can become independent of Russian gas supplies, the DPA news agency reported that the government was planning to support EU plans for a Russian oil embargo. as part of the sixth round of sanctions will be announced by the bloc, despite opposition from Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, Spain, Italy and Greece. Germany has already reduced its dependence on Russian gas from 55% to 35% since the start of the war, but full independence is not expected until 2024, said Finance Minister Robert Habeck.
