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A risk of Russia's military action in Ukraine escalating into a "nuclear conflict" should be avoided at all costs, the co-authors of the letter, published in the German feminist magazine Emma, have said, expressing their hope that Scholz would "remember [his] initial position" and would "not supply any more heavy weapons to Ukraine, either directly or indirectly." Instead, Berlin should "do everything" to help the sides reach a ceasefire "as soon as possible" and to find a "compromise that both sides can accept."

"Delivery of large quantities of heavy weapons ... could make Germany itself a party to war. A Russian counter-attack could then trigger a response under the NATO Treaty and [result] in an immediate danger of a world war," the letter warns.

The co-authors of the letter, including German musicians, artists and filmmakers, have warned that the continued provision of arms to the Ukrainian forces risks starting "a global arms race with catastrophic consequences," including for global health and for climate change. It has been signed by, among others, the ex-vice president of the Bundestag Antje Vollmer, who previously co-authored another similar letter to Scholz, and Martin Walser, one of the most prominent authors in post-war Germany and a winner of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade.

The co-authors do say that they consider Russia's military action in Ukraine "aggression," adding, however, that even "legitimate resistance" by Ukrainians has reached an "intolerably disproportionate" level, since it only prolongs the suffering of Ukrainians themselves.

It would be a mistake to think that responsibility for a potential nuclear conflict would lie only with the side that would start it but not with those, who "openly provide it with a reason" to take this step, the letter argues. "Morally binding norms are universal in nature," it points out.

The appeal, which has since been opened for sympathetic signatures, was supported by almost 8,000 in just two hours.

Last week, another open letter calling on Berlin to cease its arms supplies to Kiev was signed by a group of German politicians and public figures, who also warned Scholz about the risks of Germany and other NATO nations becoming parties to the conflict and risking "another big war."

On Thursday, the German parliament voted 586-100 to supply Ukraine with heavy weapons, even though Chancellor Olaf Scholz cautioned last week that the Bundeswehr stockpiles have just about run out. A recent poll showed 56% of Germans are worried this could result in the conflict expanding to other countries, while only 26% believe there is a military resolution to the Ukraine crisis.

A Telegram channel called 'Kanzlerdaddy' interviewed some passersby on the streets of the capital to see if the Bundestag's decision reflected the will of the people.

"I think it's terrible. It's a crime. German weapons have no place there," said one elderly lady, shaking her head.

"It's not good because we're being dragged into a war that shouldn't concern us. It might not be the most popular opinion, but I don't want a war to come here," said an older gentleman.

"I think it only prolongs the war: more suffering, more deaths, more trouble," said another silver-haired woman. "Germany should stay away from this."

Younger Germans seemed more in favor of the weapons shipments, however.

"I think I would support this," said one middle-aged woman. "I think what [Russian President Vladimir] Putin does is unacceptable."

"In some sense we should send weapons there because it's possible we'll be able to stop it fast - stop Putin fast and end this war fast," said another woman. "I don't know, but maybe it'll make things worse?"

"It's too late," lamented a bespectacled young man, a mask under his chin. "Everything is happening too slow. I think it's a disgrace. We were helped like nobody else to restore the country after World War II. And in this sense it's sad and shocking that everything's happening this way."

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