German Chancellor Scholz accuses Trump of being 'irresponsible and dangerous'

Scholz held a joint press conference following his meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. 

Stating that NATO's promise of protection is unconditionally valid, Scholz said, "All for one, and one for all."

Pointing to Trump's remarks, Scholz said, "Let me be clear due to current events; any relativization of NATO's mutual assistance guarantee is irresponsible and dangerous. No one can play with or negotiate over Europe's security."

Emphasizing that Germany makes significant contributions to European security, especially on NATO's eastern flank, Scholz noted that they would further strengthen cooperation for the defense of the NATO alliance and the security of Europe.

Scholz said this also directly concerns support for Ukraine.

Chancellor Scholz noted that NATO will remain the foundation of collective defense for many years to come.

"POLAND'S SECURITY IS OUR SECURITY"

Pointing out that this year marks the 85th anniversary of Germany's horrific attack on Poland and the destruction of Warsaw, Scholz said, "We are aware of our grave guilt and are conscious of the duty that arises from this for our common peaceful future.

Our responsibility toward our history cannot be brushed aside. This remains a reminder for today and a mission for the future," he said.

Scholz emphasized that Germany and Poland stand together in the European Union (EU) and NATO, and are working together for solidarity at a time when Russian imperialism threatens Europe's security, adding, "Poland's security is our security."

"EUROPE MUST INVEST IN ITS OWN SECURITY"

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated the following regarding Trump's remarks about NATO:

"Regardless of whether Trump is a former president or a candidate again, I want to say this: it is actually in Europe's common interest that all NATO member states directly and significantly increase the financing of their defense potential.

I have no doubt about this. I think the terrible lesson learned from Ukraine should leave no one in doubt; it is truly necessary. I am expressing this quite objectively, not because Donald Trump said it."

Stating his belief that Trump's words should serve as a "cold shower" for everyone, especially those who are not aware or fully aware of the real threat, Tusk said, "We really need to strive for full cooperation with the US, but Europe also needs to invest in its own security."

Tusk noted, however, that not everyone has to take Trump's words seriously, and continued as follows:

"We must do everything we can to ensure that transatlantic cooperation remains the foundation of our security. There is no good alternative to close cooperation in this area. I believe that it is our duty, both for today and for future generations, to attach importance to this between European NATO members and the US, regardless of how the situation in Washington develops," he said.

Expressing that there is no reason for the EU not to have as much military power as Russia, Tusk underscored that there are many reasons to be truly ambitious in ensuring that Europe can overcome all kinds of challenges, including military ones.

Tusk pointed out that history has proven to be very ruthless, saying, "Even a few years ago, no one could have imagined that Poland and Germany would work so closely from a military perspective to protect Ukraine from Russian aggression."

Stating that he discussed with Scholz the need to intensify cooperation at the bilateral level and in Europe, including in the field of air defense, Tusk said, "We, as Europe, want to do this within the framework of cooperation between Poland and Germany as soon as possible, that is, not in 5 or 10-15 years, but in the next 12 months."

Emphasizing that there are lessons everyone should learn from history, Tusk said they know what needs to be done in this regard.

"NUCLEAR ENERGY IS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR POLAND"

Touching on the issue of Poland's energy supply, Tusk emphasized the importance of nuclear energy for Poland.

Underlining that his country will make decisions regarding nuclear power plants according to its own interests, Tusk used the following expressions:

"As you know, we are committed to protecting the environment, but Poland is in a very difficult situation for objective reasons. If we are to be truly effective in energy production and in leaving behind the largest carbon dioxide emissions in production, we must work on an alternative, and nuclear energy is such an alternative for Poland."

Pointing out that the Weimar Triangle, which his country formed with France and Germany, would be meaningless if it only held routine meetings, Tusk said, "For us, the Weimar Triangle is only meaningful if we take each other seriously and if all three of us try to solve very realistic, concrete problems."

Arguing that Russia's nuclear threat is not an abstract threat, Tusk said, "After the attack on Ukraine, Putin used this argument several times; he is really trying to pressure the West, all of us, and is really trying to scare us by saying he 'could use nuclear weapons.' This is definitely not abstract. It is enough to look at Russia's nuclear potential near the Polish border."

Emphasizing that he thinks French President Emmanuel Macron's words are very important, Tusk assessed, "Macron said that France is ready to make its nuclear capabilities available to all of Europe. Thus, a common security system could truly emerge from them. We have had such signals for some time, and we should take them very seriously."

Tusk also touched on the issue of compensation demands from Germany regarding the Nazi era, noting the following:

"This is a topic that really needs to be discussed seriously, but not as my predecessors did. Otherwise, I will look for opportunities for cooperation with Chancellor Scholz that will not turn the past into a fate that will strain our mutual relations. We will make decisions that will satisfy everyone so that the security of the future is well served.

I think Chancellor Scholz might think a little differently, but there is something Germany needs to do here. I don't want to express this very aggressively, not just because I am a Polish politician, but also because I am a historian and come from Gdansk. However, I want this not to lead to negative emotions, but to care about the good future, the good future that both peoples have developed."

News Source: AA