German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been preparing for war against Ukraine at least one year before inciting it and predicted that Putin will be able “long” to sustain a prolonged offensive.
Scholz made the remarks in a Thursday interview at the NATO summit, Madrid with Margaret Brennan, chief foreign affairs correspondent of CBS News. Russia is making incremental gains in the war against Ukraine, which has been going on for over four months. According to US intelligence, Russia holds 20% of the country’s territory, most of it in eastern Ukraine.
“When will Russia lose the ability to fight this war?” What will happen to Putin’s weapons and money? Oder can this go on for years?” Brennan asked Scholz.
Scholz said that no one knows the truth, but Putin’s long-term planning indicates that he is ready for a sustained war effort.
Scholz stated that Scholz was the leader of a great country, perhaps with many people living there and with a lot more means. He is doing this brutal war with — and had prepared for it [for] a long time.” He prepared for this war, so I believe the decision to-to-go to war was made one year prior to it starting. He will therefore be able continue the war for a very long time.
Scholz stated that Putin may not admit it, but he recognizes the effects of Western sanctions on Russia.
“You start to realize that it is really hurting him and that [Putin] knows the deep effects of our sanctions on his economic Scholz said. “This is happening now to a country which is not so advanced. It is really in need of all the technologies from other countries for a similar standard and to participate in growth in the global economy.”
Scholz, however, denied that he was giving Putin a pass on the sanctions when questioned about the $2 billion per month Germany spent on Russian gas and coal.
He stated that he cannot buy anything with the money he gets from us, because he will. There are all sorts of sanctions against imports for modern technologies and other things he wants. This is what makes Putin very mad.
Brennan pointed out that Putin could use the money elsewhere, but not in West Europe. Scholz asked Scholz if Germany still spent approximately $2 billion per month on Russian energy supplies. Scholz replied that it was always decreasing.
He said, “And I, once more, say that that we decided that — that we draft sanctions in the manner that they hurt Putin. And this is what we do.” We are making real investments in technology, pipelines, and ports once more. It is a common misconception that once you make a decision, you will have a port and a 40-kilometer pipeline the next day. But, in reality, it is not true.
This exclusive interview will be broadcast on Sunday by Face the Nation.
