German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on Russia to halt its military invasion of Ukraine.  

Speaking in Berlin alongside Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, Scholz warned of the growing human cost caused by the war. 

"I call on the Russian President to immediately cease all hostilities, withdraw Russian troops from Russia and resume dialogue. The bloodshed must end. Vladimir Putin abuses the Ukrainian people," he said. 

His public plea comes just days after his historic announcement that Germany would be breaking with many of the defense doctrines that have dominated Berlin's foreign policy agenda in recent decades.

His plan includes sending anti-tank and stinger missiles to the Ukrainian Army, authorising an immediate cash injection of €100 billion euros to the German Armed Forces, and a plan for Germany to spend 2 percent of its GDP every year on defense spending. 

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Speaking to lawmakers in the country's Parliament Sunday, Scholz said the overhaul of defense and foreign policy reflected the growing threat of Russia, and the need for Germany to become a stronger military power to defend Europe. 

"We are experiencing a turning point and this means that the world after this is no longer the same as the world before it. In essence, it's a question of whether we allow Putin to turn back the clocks to the time of the great powers of the 19th century, or whether we have the strength to set limits to warmongers like Putin," he said. 

Americans touchdown

Over 200 US troops arrived in Nuremberg Tuesday as part of President Biden's pledge to bolster troop numbers in Europe in response to the crisis. 

The first arrivals will form part of approximately 3,800 soldiers deploying to Germany from the US Army's 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team and 3rd Infantry Division. 

Speaking on their arrival, U.S. Brigadier General Joseph E. Hilbert told assembled troops "The first phrase I want to teach you is number one, stronger together. We're stronger together here in Europe and the NATO alliance. We're stronger together here with our German host." 

Focussed on NATO territory 

Despite European allies boosting troop numbers on the Eastern flank, NATO insists they won't be sending soldiers into Ukraine. 

"NATO is a defensive alliance, we do not seek conflict with Russia. Russia must immediately stop the war, pull out all its forces from Ukraine, and engage in good faith in diplomatic efforts. The world stands with Ukraine, in calling for peace," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a visit to Lask Air Base in Poland. 

"Our commitment to Article 5, our collective defense clause, is iron-clad. We will protect and defend every inch of NATO territory," he added.