Russia accused Germany of “remilitarizing” in reaction to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine on Friday, accusing Berlin of putting European security in jeopardy.
In comments published in German newspapers this week, Chancellor Olaf Scholz claimed that Berlin would soon have the largest conventional army among NATO’s European members.
“We take the German Chancellor’s statement as just further proof that Berlin has set the country on a path toward expedited remilitarization. How could this possibly come to an end? Unfortunately, history has shown us that this is the case “Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated.
Scholz announced in February that he will dramatically increase defense expenditure and pour 100 billion euros ($107.39 billion) into Germany’s armed forces, signaling a major strategic shift for the military after decades of attrition following the Cold War’s end. On Friday, lawmakers were set to vote on the budget package.
The funds will be utilized over several years to enhance Germany’s regular defense budget of roughly 50 billion euros, allowing the country to fulfill NATO’s annual defense spending target of 2% of GDP.
Russia slammed Berlin’s decision, which came days after Moscow invaded Ukraine.
“At a time when possibilities to minimize common dangers are needed, Germany, on the other hand, is worsening the military-political situation on the European continent, spending tens of billions of euros to expand the critical mass of armaments,” Zakharova said.
Russia’s invasion is described as a “special military operation” aimed at disarming and “denazifying” its neighbor. This is a bogus justification, according to Ukraine and its allies, for a war that has killed thousands, leveled cities, and pushed more than 6 million people to flee abroad.
