Germany must ensure Ukraine war does not spread to NATO: Scholz

It is Germany's responsibility to make sure that a war between Russia and Ukraine does not become a war between Russia and NATO, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday as he repeated his "nein" to sending long-range weapons to Kiev, reported dpa.

"I don't consider this to be a proper delivery – and that's how it will stay," Scholz said after a European Union summit in Brussels. Scholz rejected key points in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's "victory plan" out of concerns of future escalation.

Zelensky presented his "victory plan" at the meeting and called on Scholz - again - to send him Taurus cruise missiles. The Ukrainian leader believes a deterrent missile arsenal could force Russia into peace negotiations.

Scholz also maintained his stance against a quick invitation for Ukraine to join NATO, as outlined in Zelensky's plan. The United States also opposes a fast-track NATO entry for Ukraine.

The chancellor referred to the resolutions of the most recent NATO summit in Washington, which offers Ukraine a general assurance that it could no longer be stopped on its way into the defence alliance, but said all allies must agree that NATO conditions are met for an invitation. These include reforms in the areas of democracy, the economy and the security sector.

Scholz also used the occasion to take a swipe at his main opposition in the Bundestag or German parliament, Christian Democratic (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz. He complained that Merz flip-flopped on Taurus deliveries, taking a no-delivery position before key elections in east Germany and changing his position after that.