Ratedg2
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/putin-forces-germany-step-role-global-power-2524121Russian President Vladimir Putin has inadvertently achieved what Western allies have long struggled to: get Germany to step up to its role as a major global power with an assertive foreign policy backed by a strong military despite its World War guilt.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Sunday a dramatic hike in military spending in view of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in what is being heralded as a historic speech that marks a paradigm shift in German foreign and defence policy.
Scholz said Germany from now on would invest more than 2 per cent of economic output on defence up from around 1.5 per cent currently, after years of resisting pleas from NATO allies to do so, and set up a €100-billion(US$112 billion) fund to re-equip the military.
He also outlined plans to reduce Germany's dependence on Russia for half its gas needs, fomenting hopes Berlin could consider geo-strategic concerns more in all its trade relations.
"Putin's war" marked a break in German foreign policy, he said, adding "the requirement is as much diplomacy as possible without being naive".
"This historic speech marks a sea change in German foreign policy," said Thorsten Benner of the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi). "It's a starting point for a further fundamental re-think as part of Germany's National Security Strategy that will also have to include challenges posed by China seen in tandem with Russia."
Germany has for decades faced criticism for not playing a role on the world stage commensurate with its size as Europe's largest economy and overlooking geo-strategic concerns in its pursuit of economic opportunities.
GG russia
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Sunday a dramatic hike in military spending in view of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in what is being heralded as a historic speech that marks a paradigm shift in German foreign and defence policy.
Scholz said Germany from now on would invest more than 2 per cent of economic output on defence up from around 1.5 per cent currently, after years of resisting pleas from NATO allies to do so, and set up a €100-billion(US$112 billion) fund to re-equip the military.
He also outlined plans to reduce Germany's dependence on Russia for half its gas needs, fomenting hopes Berlin could consider geo-strategic concerns more in all its trade relations.
"Putin's war" marked a break in German foreign policy, he said, adding "the requirement is as much diplomacy as possible without being naive".
"This historic speech marks a sea change in German foreign policy," said Thorsten Benner of the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi). "It's a starting point for a further fundamental re-think as part of Germany's National Security Strategy that will also have to include challenges posed by China seen in tandem with Russia."
Germany has for decades faced criticism for not playing a role on the world stage commensurate with its size as Europe's largest economy and overlooking geo-strategic concerns in its pursuit of economic opportunities.
GG russia
