The German Chancellor visits the training program for Ukrainian soldiers who will use the German Gepard tanks
Germany is ready to take a leading role in guaranteeing the security of Europe, said the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz.
He has vowed to make the country's army "the best equipped" on the continent.
Considering Russia as the "biggest threat" to NATO, Scholz said that Europe should be prepared for confrontation.
"We are making it very clear: Germany is ready to take responsibility for the security of our continent," he said at a congress on weapons.
"As the most populous country, with the largest economy, and as a country located in the middle of the continent, our army must be the cornerstone of our conventional defense in Europe, it must be the most equipped force in Europe."
Involved in two world wars, Germany has often been silent on the world stage when discussing the military and other military matters.
Scholz said that the German military has long been engaged in "providing humanitarian aid, flood relief, and pandemic vaccination efforts."
"Well, that's not the main mission. The main goal is to protect freedom in Europe".
The war started in Ukraine by Russia has prompted Scholz's Government to give up some defense and foreign affairs policies.
Acknowledging that the army's "gaps" in terms of capacities are "big", Scholz has vowed to fill them quickly.
A few days after the start of the war in Ukraine, Scholz allocated 100 billion dollars for the advancement of German defense.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
He calls the war a "special military operation" to demilitarize Ukraine.
The West has responded to Russia, hitting the economy of this country with harsh sanctions.
As a result of the war, thousands of people have died and millions more have been displaced from their homes./REL/