2024-03-25 19:51:57
A heated exchange follows the Chancellor’s government statement on the EU summit. A central topic: the Ukraine war. It also determines the debate.
Before the EU summit in Brussels, Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for the solidarity of the international community in supporting Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia. “We stand together,” he said in a government statement in the Bundestag. The message to Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is: “If the Russian president believes that he just has to wait out this war and that our support will weaken, then he has miscalculated.” Russia cannot speculate that the West will lessen its support for Ukraine.
However, the CDU/CSU opposition raised doubts that this is actually the federal government’s position. Parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) and CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt referred to SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich’s statement last week about “freezing” the war in Ukraine. “Peacefulness can have the opposite of peace,” warned Merz and added with regard to Putin: “Such an unscrupulous war criminal cannot be met with cowardice, but only with clarity and determination.”
The Chancellor emphasized that last week he once again committed himself to three principles with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “We will support Ukraine for as long as it is necessary.” Together we will also ensure that NATO does not become a party to the war. “And we will not accept any dictated peace at the expense of Ukraine.” The three-way meeting last Friday was preceded by an open conflict over Ukraine strategy between Scholz and Macron. This was not resolved at the three-party summit.
Scholz demands continuous weapons production
Scholz also spoke out in favor of closer cooperation in the European Union in the procurement of military equipment. “We need closer cooperation in the defense industry, cooperation in arming our countries.” Great progress has already been made – but more is still needed. The fact that there was almost no contact between political leaders and the defense industry for years was a mistake. This has now been changed. “But we have to say explicitly: It must be guaranteed that we have constant production of the important weapons systems in Germany and Europe,” said Scholz.
However, from the perspective of CDU chairman Merz, the federal government is not doing its homework here. “We also need higher defense spending in Germany,” demanded the opposition leader in the Bundestag.
Merz warns of dangerous debate
Merz also addressed the fact that Scholz had said about the ongoing debate about German support for Ukraine that it “cannot be surpassed in terms of ridiculousness.” “The debate that has been going on in your coalition and especially in your own party since last week at the latest is not ridiculous. This debate is dangerous. It is dangerous for peace in Europe and it is dangerous for Ukraine.” They must get the impression that German help is limited.
Dobrindt called Mützenich’s statement a “devastating signal” to the European partners. “Questions rightly arise as to whether you really still have the full support of your parliamentary group in your Ukraine policy, Mr. Chancellor.”
Greens want more support for Ukraine
The debate once again revealed dissonances between the traffic light partners. Green party leader Katharina Dröge called for more support for Ukraine. The people there are paying a high price every day – and the situation is getting worse. “That’s why we’re wrestling with each other about how we can support Ukraine even better.” The Greens would continue here. There is nothing ridiculous about that. This is not a debate that can be ended at any point. “In the end, that is the mandate that obliges me and us here to do the right thing on foreign policy issues, and ultimately to do the right thing to protect our own country.” Many Green politicians demand that Germany also supply Ukraine with long-range and high-precision Taurus cruise missiles, which Scholz rejects.
AfD: Federal government turns Germany into a war party
AfD parliamentary group leader Alice Weidel accused the federal government of turning Germany into a war party. “It’s not enough to say no to the Taurus. In fact, Germany is acting like a warring party.” Through the sanctions, it is participating in an “economic war against Russia,” supplying weapons to Ukraine and providing significant financial aid. “Instead of driving forward escalation with warmongering and arms deliveries, German politics must return to its strengths,” demanded the AfD party leader. “That means it must do everything it can to act as a mediator in the Ukraine war and get negotiations underway.”