Over the weekend, Germany reversed decades of policy toward Russia and announced a major increase in defense spending:
Germany said it will boost defense spending above 2% of GDP in response to the Ukraine war, following years of contention with the U.S. over military budgets https://t.co/P581toUcj0
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) February 27, 2022
This was a *very* big deal:
I think I have never seen this before: #Scholz just dismantled almost every SPD policy towards Russia over the past 3 decades in one speech.
— Christian Odendahl (@COdendahl) February 27, 2022
This means Germany will now spend above the NATO target of 2%:
Putin didn't count on this. Europe's largest economy will abruptly increase its annual defense spending *above* the #NATO target of 2%/GDP.
"What needs to be done to keep the peace will be done," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz tells parliament, "and Germany will do its bit." pic.twitter.com/UNDmJePIrA
— Teri Schultz (@terischultz) February 27, 2022
Welcome to the party, pal:
In days Germany has gone from being the most wobbly of allies to full partner: gas pipeline suspension, supporter of tough eco sanctions, providing arms to Ukraine, now increasing its own military spending. All critical to the crisis & beyond. Kudos to the new chancellor & govt.
— Richard N. Haass (@RichardHaass) February 27, 2022
Germany will also deliver lethal arms to Ukraine and they’ve pledged to build two new LNG terminal so the country won’t have to rely on Russian gas:
For those with whiplash, some of the changes to German foreign & security policy in the last week:
– de facto death of Nord Stream 2
– substantial arms deliveries to Ukraine, directly and via 3rd countries
– €100bn investment in armed forces & commitment to 2% NATO goal(1/2)
— Tom Nuttall (@tom_nuttall) February 27, 2022
Recommended
– pledge to build two LNG terminals and build up strategic energy reserves
– commitment to ejection of some Russian banks from SWIFT
– probable end of last remaining SPD illusions on Russia, including public disavowals of Schröder(2/)
— Tom Nuttall (@tom_nuttall) February 27, 2022
In other words, Germany is doing what then President Trump said they should do:
Finally doing what they resisted doing when a certain US president pushed the idea…https://t.co/avqHPb9PTp
— Byron York (@ByronYork) February 27, 2022
Orange man good!
Remember when Trump repeatedly called for moves like this to guard against Russia, and the propaganda press and other Democrats pushed a narrative that this meant he was anti-NATO? https://t.co/Z7OkLJQkLC
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) February 27, 2022
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