Shts: Stopping attacks on energy infrastructure could be first step toward peace

German Chancellor Olaf Schtz announced this on March 18 at a joint briefing with French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

As the Chancellor noted, Berlin closely followed the telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Putin and consulted on this issue with the leaders of France and Ukraine.

Read also: France and Germany will defend peace together with Ukrainians – Macron

“We fully agree that the goal of all efforts should be a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,” Shts said.

He added that the announced halt to attacks on energy infrastructure would be “a possible first important step on this path.” The same applies to technical negotiations on a ceasefire at sea, he added. The next step should be a complete ceasefire – as soon as possible, the chancellor emphasized.

The Chancellor reiterated that Ukraine can count on Germany and France for support that will not leave the nation unattended, adding that no decision should be made at the expense of Ukrainians.

European partners, in particular in the EU3 format (Germany, France and the UK), will continue to contribute. The head of government added that US assistance remains key, as it is essential that Washington continues to provide military support to Kyiv.

Schtz noted that the war in Ukraine has a significant impact on European security. He recalled that the Bundestag this morning made a “historic decision” to amend the Basic Law, which will significantly increase defense-related funding, indicating Germany's readiness to fulfill its obligations.

He stressed that coordination in Europe has become closer than in a long time. Later this week in Brussels, EU leaders will again discuss ways to strengthen their defense capabilities and continue to help Ukraine. All member states must increase their defense spending, and this will be one of the central tasks in the coming years and decades, Šts said. According to the Chancellor, a concrete discussion will take place at the EU summit on Thursday on how to strengthen Europe's defense industry. To do this, the Chancellor noted, it is necessary to simplify defense procurement procedures in the EU, and said that this will be reflected in the White Paper on Defense, which the President of the European Commission will present on Wednesday. This task should cover not only the 27 member states, but also the United Kingdom and Norway, Šts added.

Read also: Germany may approve €3 billion in military aid to Ukraine next week – Merz

As reported by Ukrinform, on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation during which they discussed the need to end the war in Ukraine.