German chancellor praises UN, Türkiye for grain export deal

ISTANBUL

Mediation efforts by the UN and Türkiye that made grain exports from Ukraine possible “deserve great respect,” according to the German chancellor.

Addressing the 77th session of the UN General Assembly Tuesday, Olaf Scholz said Germany is "also supporting Ukraine with the export of food," adding that his country will stand by Ukraine in terms of shouldering the “enormous cost” for building the country.

Describing the Russian war on Ukraine “imperialism,” he went on to say: “The return of imperialism is not only a disaster for Europe, It is also a disaster for our global peaceful order, which is the anti-thesis of imperialism and neocolonialism.”

“Putin will only give up his will and his imperialist ambitions if he realizes that he cannot win,” he added.

Russian President Putin is not only destroying Ukraine but also ruining his own country, according to the German leader.

"This is why we will not accept a peace dictated by Russia. This is why we will not accept any pretentious referendum and this is why Ukraine must be able to defend itself against Russia’s invasion," he said.

The Russian-controlled Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia have announced they will hold referendums to become a part of Russia later this week.