German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that “Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for the war in Ukraine, which is contrary to all international laws”, noting that “we are at a crossroads and will take all measures to investigate the crimes committed in Ukraine.” On the other hand, he “rejected calls from the European Union to ban tourist visas for Russians.”

Notably, Schultz previously confirmed that he would be “working for a stronger European Union and a geopolitical European Union” as a result of Russia’s military operation against Ukraine more than five months ago.

Schultz explained in an article in the German newspaper “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” that “the European Union must unite its ranks in all areas in which it has not yet reached agreement, especially in immigration policy, the building of European defense, technological sovereignty and democratic flexibility” . He noted that “his country will present concrete proposals on this matter in the coming months.”