The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael Roth (SPD), has expressed support for a three-billion-euro package for Ukraine. Ukraine needs “momentum for negotiations” Roth told the “Berlin Playbook Podcast” of “Politico” (Tuesday). “This three-billion-euro package from Minister Baerbock and Minister Pistorius helps Ukraine in its defense fight” he said.
For negotiations, Ukraine must “become stronger than it is now” explained the SPD politician. Although he defended the rejection of the aid package by Chancellor and SPD leadership candidate Olaf Scholz, Roth emphasized that Germany remains the largest supporter of Ukraine in Europe in absolute numbers. “We should remain so, especially now, when many are hoping for peace, the Ukraine needs to be in a position of strength, and for that, it needs more weapons, more military support” he said.
Roth considers it responsible to “take away the money from Russia and see it as part of the reparations that Russia must pay to Ukraine.” The question of Ukraine support or stable pension level has “broken the coalition” but there is a broad majority in the Bundestag of SPD, CDU/CSU, Greens, and FDP, who are in favor of a decisive and resolute support for Ukraine, according to Roth.