BERLIN — At the ultimate Saturday in February, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz amassed his most sensible advisers in his huge, glass-walled workplace and browse aloud a speech condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — remarks that might turn into his country’s safety and protection coverage.
As he voiced specific words within the draft, his advisers proposed choices. Scholz, 63, who has recognized his country handiest at peace, used to be determined to avert a 3rd international battle, mentioned a senior German reliable who, like others with regards to the chancellor, spoke at the situation of anonymity to recount non-public discussions. First of all, that worry made Scholz reluctant to talk of armaments, and above all, of sending guns to Ukraine.
But if aides offered the chancellor with the query of arming Ukraine without delay or just liberating German-made guns bought via spouse international locations, a request being weighed the similar day, he licensed each — assessing that there used to be enough enhance inside of his executive and birthday party to jettison Germany’s long-standing aversion to exporting guns into battle zones.
