A debate has erupted in the SPD over the supply of arms to Ukraine. Meanwhile, security expert Ishinger laments that Germany has lost its international reputation.
After the former Chancellor Heckhard Schrder Passed with Sigmar Gabriel Another previous SPD-The leader is in the line of party leadership The crisis in Ukraine. The former foreign minister has called for a “debate without sanctions and sanctions” on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine. “The truth is, you can always be guilty of arms distribution – both by acting and by not acting,” he told Built-on Zondak.
Party leader Lars Klingbeel The SPD leadership immediately reiterated its refusal to supply arms. “We are pleased to receive advice, but it is okay if others are involved in the debate.
Roth dismissed Schrder’s statements
To this day neither Schrder nor Gabriel are active in the SPD. In the podcast “Die Agenda” on Friday, Schrder accused NATO of complicity in the deployment of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border and accused Ukraine of “making noise” due to Ukraine’s demand for weapons.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Bundestock, Michael Roth, The news portal rejected Schrder’s statement on ntv.de. “I want to adhere to the facts. They have no doubt who is responsible for the current military expansion.” This Monday, Klingbeil will meet with other leading SPD politicians for a closed conference on the Ukraine crisis.
Michael Roth: “That has nothing to do with Saber Radling.” (Source: Pixsell / imago images)
Germany “in a bad, bad light”
Renowned security expert Wolfgang Ishinger He warned over the weekend that he already sees a significant loss of international reputation for Germany due to control over the Ukraine crisis.
Federal governments’ “distortion” in dealing with controversial gas pipeline Nort Stream 2 And the issue of arms supplies, Germany is now in a “worse, worse light” with the United States and other allied partners, said the head of the German Press Agency’s Munich Security Conference. “Germany has already lost the confidence of many allies or is in danger of losing it.”
The government has been blamed Russia Not enough pressure was put on them during the crisis. Chancellor Olaf Scholes (SPD) The controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline hesitated for a long time before being put on the table as a tool to prevent a Russian invasion of Ukraine – only in a shady way.
Ishinger complains that German politicians are faltering
At the same time, he clearly rejected the supply of dangerous weapons to Ukraine, unlike other allies. This is done by Ukraine, but also by similar countries Poland Or criticized the Baltic countries. In the United States, the question also arises as to whether Germany is still a reliable partner.
Ishinger said all that had been said about Germany in recent days in Washington, Brussels and Kiev, and what had been written in the international press, had caused him “fear and anxiety.” “There have been some glitches. I don’t think they can be fixed. But the damage to reputation has already been done.” A lot needs to be done to repair this damage.
Ishinger: Nord Stream 2 “The Pin in the Flesh”
Ischinger also complained that Germany’s reluctance was playing into Russia’s hands. “Of course, the woes of various German politicians have been accurately recorded in Moscow,” said the former German ambassador to Washington, who was one of the most experienced German ambassadors and chaired the Munich Security Conference for 14 years.
According to Ishinger, Germany’s worst case scenario is related to Nord Stream 2. He described the controversial gas pipeline from Russia to Germany as a “thorn in the flesh” of German foreign policy. “I doubt we’re in Germany Politics In Berlin the size of this thorn and its negative effect were somewhat underestimated. That thorn has now exploded in the arms export affair.
“Do not make fun of the people of the world”
With arms outstretched, Ishinger complained that “the impression was created that we were folding hands at the end of the convoy.” In view of the openness of Germany in North Stream 2, he would have thought it very wise to position himself in the middle, if possible, based on the EU decision. Given Germany’s mediating role in the conflict in Ukraine, a specific restriction on arms supplies makes sense, Ishinger said. “But that doesn’t mean we should allow ourselves to be teased around the world.”
Ishinger did not consider the criticism of Germany to be entirely justified, and noted the comprehensive German economic and financial assistance to Ukraine and the diplomatic commitment to resolving the years-long Ukraine conflict. “But the federal government’s communications policy is not in line with the importance of this process,” the security expert said.
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