According to him, Putin aimed to "subjugate all of Ukraine and establish a puppet regime," as well as "prevent further rapprochement with the EU and weaken NATO as a whole."
However, as a result, two new members joined the Alliance – Sweden and Finland, Scholz added.
He noted that all NATO countries are heavily investing in their defense capabilities, and nearly all Alliance members have met the target of 2%.
As Scholz pointed out, Ukraine is a "consolidated country" and is on the path to EU membership. Furthermore, it possesses a strong, Western-equipped army that is "heroically defending itself against Putin's troops," emphasized the German Chancellor.
Now, the task is to lay the groundwork for a fair and sustainable peace in Ukraine, Scholz stated.
After a phone conversation with Putin in November, Scholz faced criticism but said in an interview that he is willing to call the illegitimate Russian president "once again."
He stated that it is necessary to "do everything possible to ensure that Ukraine does not stand alone and retains its sovereignty."