German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed reservations about China’s position on the war in Ukraine during his visit to India on Saturday.
On the anniversary of the Ukrainian war, China released a document calling for a ceasefire and talks.
Scholz felt that the proposal “has light and shadow”. The German leader insisted that there were correct aspects, such as the condemnation of the use of nuclear weapons.
However, the Social Democrat doubts that there is no recognizable line in which China urges Russian troops to withdraw from Ukraine.
Scholz also stressed the importance of achieving a just and equitable peace, not a “Russian dictatorial peace”, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin needs to understand this circumstance.
The German Chancellor sought reassurance that he would support, or at least not block, Western attempts to isolate Russia from waging a devastating war against Ukraine.
Following talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Scholz warned that developing countries are negatively impacted by energy and food shortages caused by the war and hopes India will help secure vital supplies for Asia, Africa and the Americas.
Maintaining a cautious approach, Modi said India wanted the conflict to end through dialogue and diplomacy. “India stands ready to contribute to any peace initiative,” he added.
The chancellor refrained from public criticism of Russia, as Moscow is a major supplier of arms, oil and other economic needs to India.
Scholz said Russia’s war against Ukraine “violated the fundamental principle” on which everyone agrees “not to change borders by force”.
While the two leaders did not respond to questions after the meeting, Scholz later told German reporters that he had discussed the war in Ukraine “very extensively and intensively” with Modi, but declined to elaborate, citing the confidential nature of the conversations.
Scholz, who arrived in the Indian capital today, also discussed with Modi ways to boost economic cooperation, including through a free trade agreement between the European Union and India, adding that he will “personally ensure that [as negociações] don’t drag.”
The trip is Scholz’s first official visit to India, although it is his fourth meeting with Modi since he took office as chancellor, underscoring Germany’s interest in deepening relations with New Delhi.
“There is huge potential for intensive collaboration in sectors such as renewable energy, hydrogen, mobility, pharmaceuticals and the digital economy,” said Scholz in an interview published today by The Times of India.
Over the past year, China has avoided condemning Russia for its military campaign in Ukraine, accusing NATO and the United States of fomenting this conflict and “disregarding Moscow’s legitimate security concerns”.
Source: DN
