Scholz accuses German intellectuals of sending heavy weapons to Ukraine – POLITICO

Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended himself on Sunday against German intellectuals who had written an open letter asking him not to send heavy weapons to Ukraine and instead to seek a compromise that both warring parties can accept.

In a tweet, Scholz did not explicitly mention the letter explained: “I respect every pacifism and every position. But it must seem cynical to the citizens of #Ukraine to be asked to stand up unarmed against Putin’s aggression. That’s out of time.”

That Letter — signed by more than 20 prominent figures from science, culture and journalism — urged Scholz not to send heavy weapons to Ukraine, fearing it could lead to a third world war and “make Germany itself a war party.”

Among the signatories were the author Martin Walser, the journalist and feminist Alice Schwarzer and the Green politician Antje Vollmer. The letter has gathered around 120,000 supporters online since it was published on Friday.

Until a few days ago, Scholz had been reluctant to agree to the transfer of heavy weapons to Ukraine, partly basing his position on the same intellectual arguments.

However, on Tuesday his government announced it would supply anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, bowing to intense pressure from Kyiv, international allies and domestic politicians both inside and outside the ruling coalition.

Since the war began, Germany has faced accusations at home and abroad for its lack of leadership in confronting Russia’s aggression, as manifested in its reluctance to send in heavy weapons and support for a swift ban on Russian energy imports.

In an interview with the newspaper Bild am Sonntag, Scholz rejected such criticism and defends Berlin’s cautious approach to heavy arms shipments to Ukraine. “I make my decisions quickly – and coordinate them with our allies. I am suspicious of hasty action and idiosyncratic German efforts,” he said.