In "New Era" Amid Ukraine War, Germany Rewrites Defence, Foreign Policies

Ukraine war: Haunted by its post-war guilt, Germany has always treaded lightly and quietly on the world stage when it comes to conflicts.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday announced a major shift in Germany's foreign and defence policy, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine forces Europe's biggest economy to ditch decades of reluctance in raising its military profile.

Haunted by its post-war guilt, Germany has always treaded lightly and quietly on the world stage when it comes to conflicts.

But at an emergency parliamentary sitting on Sunday, Scholz, who himself had been accused of dawdling on the Ukraine crisis, said: "With the invasion of Ukraine, we are now in a new era."

Hours after Germany dramatically reversed its ban on lethal weapons exports to conflict-zone by announcing huge shipments to Ukraine, Scholz said 100 billion euros will be earmarked for investments for the army in 2022 alone.