Thread by @thorstenbenner

#Zeitenwende speech by 🇩🇪 chancellor Olaf Scholz:

Question is "whether we allow Putin to turn back clock or whether we mobilize power to set boundaries for warmongers such as Putin. This requires own strength. Yes, we want to & will secure our freedom, democracy & prosperity".

Scholz outlines five areas of action to meet Zeitenwende challenges:
First, support Ukraine including with weapons.
Second, use sanctions to get Putin off his war path
"Putin won't change course over night. But soon Russian leadership will feel what high price it is paying".

Scholz:
Third area of action is increasing German contribution to collective security in NATO especially on Eastern flank.
Details additional Bundeswehr engagement in Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and in North/Baltic sea & Mediterranean.

"Whoever reads or talks with Putin cannot have doubt Putin pursues 🇷🇺 empire".

Scholz announces sea change in 🇩🇪 defense policy.

"From now on we will spend more than 2% on defense every year".

Announces 100 bn EURO special fund "Bundeswehr" in 2022 for necessary investments.

Scholz goes into detail in terms of capabilities needed including F-35 for participation in nuclear sharing, Heron drone, next generation fighter jets and tanks "should be built here in Europe with European partners especially France".

Fourth area is greater independence on energy policy. Two LNG terminals, gas/coal reserves, speeding up renewables.

Scholz: Fifth area is changing foreign policy.
"As much diplomacy as possible without being naive. Not being naive means: no dialogue for dialogue's sake. For real dialogue you need willingsness on both sides. This is what Putin lacks not only during last days and weeks".

It's a historic day &historic speech by Scholz. Focus was on challenges posed by Putin's imperialist project. It's a starting point for further fundamental re-think as part of National Security Strategy that will also have to include challenges posed by 🇨🇳 seen in tandem with 🇷🇺.

German goal has to be not to wake up on day of possible 🇨🇳 invasion of Taiwan thinking "Wow, we are so dependent on 🇨🇳 in critical areas so that we our ability to respond is severely limited. We wish we had addressed these dependencies early on & signalled effective deterrence".

Beijing increasingly ruthless in using dependencies for coercion. Germany needs full inventory of dependencies (also those 🇩🇪can use against 🇨🇳) . #Zeitenwende needs to mean ending geopoltically blind foreign economic policy by drastically reducing reliance on systemic rivals.

Yes, that was part of intention. But multilateralism, human rights & humanitarian aid are not just garnish but they will remain to have at core of 🇩🇪 foreign policy tailored to new environment. You can't thrive in the world on effective deterrence alone.

https://twitter.com/tom_nuttall/status/1497892199995883527?s=20&t=OmVYt1H7iXm-sKnQ8R-stQ

Here is the part of the Scholz speech announcing turn-around on defence spending

Here is the full English translation of Scholz' #Zeitenwende speech
bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/p…