(24 Apr 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Berlin – 24 April 2024
1. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arriving at news conference
2. SOUNDBITE (German) Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor:
"It is an encouraging and also necessary signal that the U.S. Congress has now released the funds to support Ukraine. This decision shows that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is miscalculating if he believes that the states in Europe, the USA and all the other supporters will abandon Ukraine at some point. We will not do that."
3. Wide of news conference
4. SOUNDBITE (German) Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor:
"But I also want to make it clear that the United States’ decision does not relieve us here in Europe of the task of further expanding our support for Ukraine so that the country can defend itself against aggression. All Europeans should make the necessary decisions in proportion to their respective economic strength."
5. Journalists
6. SOUNDBITE (German) Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor:
"As far as the weapon system (Taurus) you mentioned is concerned, my decision (not to supply it to Ukraine) will not change."
7. Journalist
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rishi Sunak, UK Prime Minister:
"We have record investment in our public services including the NHS. That is not going to change, it is going to continue to increase. We have record investment in our schools. That is not going to change, it is going to continue to increase. And alongside that we are able to cut people’s taxes. As I said, £900 (USD$1,120) tax cut for average person in work, the state pension going up by £900. But we have made a choice and I am not shying away from that choice. All governing is about prioritising and I have decided to prioritise defence because this is the right thing to do for our country."
9. Close of EU, German and UK flags
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rishi Sunak, UK Prime Minister:
"Defending our democracy, our democratic processes and institutions is an absolute priority and we won’t tolerate any activity that undermines that."
11. Scholz and Sunak shaking hands and leaving
STORYLINE:
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday that Europe must continue to step up its help for Ukraine even after the approval of a big U.S. aid package, but made clear that he’s sticking to his refusal to send Taurus long-range cruise missiles to the country.
Scholz spoke after meeting British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Berlin.
The two countries are Europe’s biggest suppliers of military assistance to Ukraine and both vowed to keep that up “for as long as it takes.”
Ukraine’s cause was boosted by the approval in Congress of a $61 billion U.S. military aid package that has been held up for months, which Scholz described as “an encouraging and necessary signal.”
“But I also want to say clearly that the United States’ decision doesn’t release us here in Europe from the task of further expanding our support for Ukraine so that the country can defend itself against the aggressor,” he said.
Scholz, whose country recently pledged to supply a third Patriot missile battery to Ukraine, appealed again for other European countries that have the system to examine whether they can spare one.
Still, asked whether he will back off his often-criticised refusal to send Taurus missiles after the U.S. approved new aid, Scholz listed at length the military hardware Germany has provided and added: “As far as the weapons system you mention is concerned, my decision will not change.”
He didn’t directly address a question about Scholz’s stance on Taurus.
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