German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial on March 2. AP
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial on March 2. AP
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial on March 2. AP
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial on March 2. AP

MENA

German chancellor rules out military intervention in Ukraine

The UN says more than 830,000 people have fled the country in the past six days

Rosie Scammell
Rosie Scammell
Jerusalem

March 02, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has ruled out military intervention in Ukraine, after Berlin made historic changes to its foreign policy over Russia’s invasion of eastern Europe.

“It is not to be underestimated how dangerous this conflict is, and that is why it is clear that there will be no military intervention on our part,” he said on Wednesday during his first visit to Israel as chancellor.

“Nato will not do that, nor will anybody else in this situation. This would be a mistake,” Mr Scholz said as he stood next to his Israeli counterpart, Naftali Bennett.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on global powers to impose a no-fly zone to halt Russia’s bombardment of his country.

World leaders have ruled out such a step, saying it could ignite a broader war.

Russia’s invasion has prompted Germany to send weaponry to Ukraine, breaking with Berlin’s decades-long policy against exporting arms to conflict zones.

The EU and the US, Israel’s top ally, have also approved military aid for Ukraine, as have other countries.

Damage after the shelling of buildings in central Kharkiv, Ukraine. EPA
Damage after the shelling of buildings in central Kharkiv, Ukraine. EPA
Workers from a local construction company weld anti-tank obstacles to be placed on roads around Kyiv as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues. Reuters
Workers from a local construction company weld anti-tank obstacles to be placed on roads around Kyiv as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues. Reuters
Anti-war protesters attach sunflowers to barriers in front of the Russian embassy. Reuters
Anti-war protesters attach sunflowers to barriers in front of the Russian embassy. Reuters
Ukrainian volunteers prepare food for displaced people outside Lviv railway station in western Ukraine. AP
Ukrainian volunteers prepare food for displaced people outside Lviv railway station in western Ukraine. AP
A Ukrainian soldier holds an anti-tank launcher north-east of Kyiv. AFP
A Ukrainian soldier holds an anti-tank launcher north-east of Kyiv. AFP
Ukrainian refugees rest at Warsaw East train station in Poland. EPA
Ukrainian refugees rest at Warsaw East train station in Poland. EPA
Children look out from a carriage window as a train prepares to depart from a station in Lviv to the town of Uzhhorod near the border with Slovakia. AFP
Children look out from a carriage window as a train prepares to depart from a station in Lviv to the town of Uzhhorod near the border with Slovakia. AFP
A girl who fled Ukraine is reunited with her father in Medyka, south-eastern Poland. AP Photo
A girl who fled Ukraine is reunited with her father in Medyka, south-eastern Poland. AP Photo
Tears outside a house damaged by a Russian airstrike in Gorenka, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP Photo
Tears outside a house damaged by a Russian airstrike in Gorenka, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP Photo
A civil defence member is poised to shoot as a vehicle approaches a checkpoint in Gorenka. AP Photo
A civil defence member is poised to shoot as a vehicle approaches a checkpoint in Gorenka. AP Photo
A Ukrainian civil defence member in the garden of a house damaged by a Russian airstrike. AP Photo
A Ukrainian civil defence member in the garden of a house damaged by a Russian airstrike. AP Photo
Members of the US Army 3rd Infantry Division board a plane bound for Germany in Savannah, Georgia. EPA
Members of the US Army 3rd Infantry Division board a plane bound for Germany in Savannah, Georgia. EPA
Prayers for peace in Ukraine at the Vatican's Saint Peter's Square. AFP
Prayers for peace in Ukraine at the Vatican's Saint Peter's Square. AFP
A woman (right) hugs an arriving passenger from a train carrying refugees at Berlin's central station. EPA
A woman (right) hugs an arriving passenger from a train carrying refugees at Berlin's central station. EPA
Firefighters battle a blaze in a Kharkiv police building hit by shelling. AFP
Firefighters battle a blaze in a Kharkiv police building hit by shelling. AFP
A Ukrainian woman makes a phone call after crossing the Slovakian border. AFP
A Ukrainian woman makes a phone call after crossing the Slovakian border. AFP
A doctor takes shelter in the basement of a Kyiv perinatal centre. Reuters
A doctor takes shelter in the basement of a Kyiv perinatal centre. Reuters
Debris which locals say was caused by shelling in separatist-controlled Horlivka, Donetsk. Reuters
Debris which locals say was caused by shelling in separatist-controlled Horlivka, Donetsk. Reuters
MPs in London give a standing ovation to Ukraine ambassador Vadym Prystaiko, who was in the public gallery. AP
MPs in London give a standing ovation to Ukraine ambassador Vadym Prystaiko, who was in the public gallery. AP
Distraught women and children fleeing Ukraine wait to enter Poland at the Korczowa crossing. Getty
Distraught women and children fleeing Ukraine wait to enter Poland at the Korczowa crossing. Getty
Newborn Ivan lies next to his mother as they shelter in the basement of a Kyiv perinatal centre. Reuters
Newborn Ivan lies next to his mother as they shelter in the basement of a Kyiv perinatal centre. Reuters
Firefighters hand water to people in a Ukrainian train full of refugees in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters
Firefighters hand water to people in a Ukrainian train full of refugees in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters
Ukrainian refugees queue to file for residency permits at Prague's police headquarters. AFP
Ukrainian refugees queue to file for residency permits at Prague's police headquarters. AFP
Firefighters work to contain a blaze in buildings housing the Kharkiv regional police department. AFP
Firefighters work to contain a blaze in buildings housing the Kharkiv regional police department. AFP
A woman and her children sit in a tent in the Kyiv subway, using it as a bomb shelter. AP
A woman and her children sit in a tent in the Kyiv subway, using it as a bomb shelter. AP
Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze at the Kharkiv National University building, which city officials said was damaged by Russian shelling. Reuters
Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze at the Kharkiv National University building, which city officials said was damaged by Russian shelling. Reuters
An elderly woman comforts a child as they take shelter inside an underground station in Kyiv. Reuters
An elderly woman comforts a child as they take shelter inside an underground station in Kyiv. Reuters
People queue at a pharmacy in central Kyiv. Reuters
People queue at a pharmacy in central Kyiv. Reuters
A woman is consoled by a volunteer after fleeing from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the border crossing in Siret, Romania. Reuters
A woman is consoled by a volunteer after fleeing from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the border crossing in Siret, Romania. Reuters
A Ukrainian civilian in the city of Zhytomyr practises throwing petrol bombs. Reuters
A Ukrainian civilian in the city of Zhytomyr practises throwing petrol bombs. Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy poses after an interview with Reuters in Kyiv. Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy poses after an interview with Reuters in Kyiv. Reuters
A blast is seen at Kyiv's TV tower. Reuters
A blast is seen at Kyiv's TV tower. Reuters
A girl in Siret, Romania, covers herself with a blanket after fleeing from Ukraine. Reuters
A girl in Siret, Romania, covers herself with a blanket after fleeing from Ukraine. Reuters
Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, acknowledges applause from US first lady Jill Biden as they attend President Joe Biden's first State of the Union address in Washington. AFP
Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, acknowledges applause from US first lady Jill Biden as they attend President Joe Biden's first State of the Union address in Washington. AFP
A man walks past the remains of Russian military vehicles in Bucha, close to Kyiv. AFP
A man walks past the remains of Russian military vehicles in Bucha, close to Kyiv. AFP
Civilians cross a river on a blown-up bridge on Kyiv's northern front. Defending the capital is a 'key priority', Ukraine's president has said. AFP
Civilians cross a river on a blown-up bridge on Kyiv's northern front. Defending the capital is a 'key priority', Ukraine's president has said. AFP
Russian aircraft on the ground at Luninets Airbase, Belarus, about 50 kilometres north of the Ukrainian border. AFP
Russian aircraft on the ground at Luninets Airbase, Belarus, about 50 kilometres north of the Ukrainian border. AFP
People look at the gutted remains of Russian military vehicles on a road in the town of Bucha. AP
People look at the gutted remains of Russian military vehicles on a road in the town of Bucha. AP
A woman with a child who fled from the war in Ukraine reunite with their family after crossing the border in Medyka, Poland. AP
A woman with a child who fled from the war in Ukraine reunite with their family after crossing the border in Medyka, Poland. AP
Animal keeper Kirilo Trantin comforts an elephant at Kyiv Zoo. AP
Animal keeper Kirilo Trantin comforts an elephant at Kyiv Zoo. AP
An armed man stands by the remains of a Russian military vehicle in Bucha. AP
An armed man stands by the remains of a Russian military vehicle in Bucha. AP
Ukrainian families say goodbye as they prepare to board a bus to Poland at Lviv, western Ukraine. AP
Ukrainian families say goodbye as they prepare to board a bus to Poland at Lviv, western Ukraine. AP
Paramedics move a man who was wounded by shelling in a residential area of Mariupol, south-eastern Ukraine. AP
Paramedics move a man who was wounded by shelling in a residential area of Mariupol, south-eastern Ukraine. AP
Rescuers work at the site of a Russian strike in Zhytomyr. Reuters
Rescuers work at the site of a Russian strike in Zhytomyr. Reuters
US actor and director Sean Penn attends a press briefing at the Presidential Office in Kyiv. Reuters
US actor and director Sean Penn attends a press briefing at the Presidential Office in Kyiv. Reuters
Demonstrators participate in a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at Lafayette Square in Washington. AFP
Demonstrators participate in a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at Lafayette Square in Washington. AFP
Ukrainian soldiers rest while others eat near the front line with Russian troops in northern Kyiv. AP
Ukrainian soldiers rest while others eat near the front line with Russian troops in northern Kyiv. AP
A barricade made of trams, buses and sand bags is seen through the window of car in the northern part of Kyiv. AP
A barricade made of trams, buses and sand bags is seen through the window of car in the northern part of Kyiv. AP
Members of the European Parliament applaud after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech at a special session to debate its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Reuters
Members of the European Parliament applaud after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech at a special session to debate its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Reuters
Ambassadors and diplomats walk out as Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (on screen) speaks during a recorded message at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. EPA
Ambassadors and diplomats walk out as Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (on screen) speaks during a recorded message at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. EPA

Israel, which has warm relations with Moscow, has sent humanitarian aid including medical supplies and sleeping bags.

On Wednesday, the UN said more than 830,000 people had fled Ukraine in the past six days.

Mr Bennett called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Ukraine, where one Israeli citizen was killed this week.

“We have a very measured and responsible policy,” he said.

Mr Bennett has not criticised Russia for its military assault.

“[Our] goal is to both help the Ukrainian people and do what we can to help alleviate some of the pressures and the consequences of this horrific situation.”

Since the start of the war, the Israeli Prime Minister has spoken to both Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During the German chancellor’s one-night stay in Israel, he also visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and met Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

Agencies contributed to this report

Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34

Story of 2017-18 so far and schedule to come

Roll of Honour

Who has won what so far in the West Asia rugby season?

 

Western Clubs Champions League

Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners up: Bahrain

 

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners: Dubai Exiles

Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons

 

West Asia Premiership

Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons

Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

 

UAE Premiership Cup

Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners up: Dubai Exiles

 

Fixtures

Friday

West Asia Cup final

5pm, Bahrain (6pm UAE time), Bahrain v Dubai Exiles

 

West Asia Trophy final

3pm, The Sevens, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sports City Eagles

 

Friday, April 13

UAE Premiership final

5pm, Al Ain, Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

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Abu Dhabi GP weekend schedule

Friday

First practice, 1pm 
Second practice, 5pm

Saturday

Final practice, 2pm
Qualifying, 5pm

Sunday

Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps), 5.10pm

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