German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has warned against forced border shifts in light of the latest statements by US President-elect Donald Trump on US claims to Greenland.
“The principle of inviolability of borders applies to every country - regardless of whether it is to the east of us or to the west,” said Scholz in a press statement in Berlin on Wednesday, which was arranged at short notice. “Every state must abide by this - regardless of whether it is a small country or a very powerful state.”
Scholz went on to say that he had discussed the issue with European partners. It had become clear that there was “a certain lack of understanding regarding current statements from the USA”. The inviolability of borders is “a core component of what we call Western values”, said Scholz and added: “This must not be shaken.”
"Russia's ruler Vladimir Putin had violated this principle with his attack on Ukraine," the Federal Chancellor said, drawing an explicit parallel to the war in Ukraine.
