The Halle-Saalekreis district craft association in Saxony-Anhalt have written an open letter to Chancellor Olaf Scholz. In it, they call for all sanctions against Russia to be halted and negotiations to end the war on Ukraine to begin. The letter is available to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland and has 16 signatories from all guilds. "At the outset, we would like to emphasize that Russia's attack on Ukraine is a clear violation of Article 2 of the UN Charter and is seen and criticized by us as a serious crime," the letter says. However, this war did not begin on February 24, 2022. In addition, the district trade association is "justifiably worried. Worried about the future of our children and grandchildren, worried about the continued existence of our businesses, worried about our country". "We know that the vast majority is not willing to sacrifice their hard-earned standard of living for Ukrain". It goes on to say, "We as craftsmen know from many conversations with our customers that the vast majority are not willing to sacrifice their hard-earned standard of living for Ukraine. It's not our war either!" According to a publication by Transparency International Deutschland e.V., Ukraine ranks 122nd in terms of corruption in 2021. "No other European country scores worse here," the signatories say and in no way can Ukraine therefore be said to be a flawless democratic state. The signatories therefore ask - "and for this you want to put Germany at risk?" "Do you want to be the chancellor who brought Germany to ruin". The country is rumbling. Prices were rising at a rate that would soon make it impossible for "the average wage earner" to make a living. Then even quite normal, necessary craft services would become unaffordable, which would lead to layoffs and closures of businesses. "Do you want to be the chancellor who bankrupted Germany?" it reads. "Do you really want to sacrifice your country for Ukraine"? **Craftsmen make three demands of Scholz** The district craftsmen's association is therefore making three demands - 1. Immediate halt to all sanctions against Russia. 2. immediate start of diplomatic negotiations to end the war. 3. All political decisions are to be reviewed for the benefit of the German people - *as you have sworn to do".* At the end of the letter it says: "We are not talking about 1 or 2 degrees less room temperature or whether swimming pools have to lower their water temperature. We are talking about Germany dying! Many people in our country recognize that, why don't you"? And, "Change your course. In the interest of our homeland". https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/handwerker-fordern-ende-der-sanktionen-wut-brief-an-scholz-wollen-sie-wirklich-fuer-die-ukraine-ihr-land-opfern_id_136711040.html