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Germany is criticized by Ukraine and other European countries, but this is unfair, thinks Marco Müller, because Germany does more than any other country to help Kiev.
Request. Contempt treatment. Request. Contempt treatment. This seems to be the model that Ukraine is currently following in its discussions with and about Germany. This includes the rejection of the visit offer for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as the leadership of Kiev had criticized his previous policy towards Russia and Steinmeier had admitted that he had made mistakes.
This model has been very effective. The German media also adopted this model. Not a day goes by without Berlin being publicly embarrassed, without critical journalists asking members of the German government why we are not finally giving up Russian oil and gas and why Germany is not supplying Ukraine with all the weapons it has demanded. she. It is an increasingly annoying theatrical piece and in any case superfluous.
Germany supports Ukraine almost like no other country
First, Germany, along with the United States, has been Ukraine’s largest donor since the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014.
Second, in addition to Ukraine’s close neighbors, Germany is one of the countries with the highest number of Ukrainian refugees.
Third, Germany is one of the countries that pays Ukraine the most money to buy weapons. Chancellor Olaf Scholz just announced that Germany will provide up to 2 billion euros ($ 2.1 billion) in military aid. And he left no doubt that we should support Ukraine in the fight against Russia.
In this context, how smart is it that the Ukrainian government constantly hurts the German government and floods it with new, harshly formulated demands? When Germany provides some of the weapons it wants, Kiev says it’s good, but it’s much more. When Germany announces nothing less than a paradigm shift by turning its back on Russian coal, oil and gas, Ukraine says: This is fine, but it must happen immediately.
Is a 180 degree turn not enough?
In this context, it is fondly forgotten that Germany made a 180-degree turn with unprecedented proportions. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline was shut down. The German armed forces will be provided with 100 billion euros – a plan that Scholz announced shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine. Germany pays for arms shipments to a war zone. The German government has begun to sever its close and extremely important raw material ties with Russia. The economy minister, a Green Party politician, traveled to the Middle East to buy oil and gas as he thought out loud about extending the operation of Germany’s nuclear and coal-fired power plants. These are all extreme course changes in an incredibly short period of time. What other European countries have changed their policies as drastically as Germany, and at such a high cost?
Sacrifice dash for other EU countries
Even more irritating than the unfriendly attitudes from Kiev is the behavior of other European countries. They do not take any action themselves, but hide behind Germany, or even point the finger at Berlin. To create the impression that everything has to do with the image.
French President Emmanuel Macron has made several unsuccessful phone calls in an attempt to influence Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. He also quietly organized the final of the Football Champions League, which would be held in Russia, to be played in France. His country does not act so decisively when it comes to accepting refugees in France.
Italy has stated, publicly and bluntly, that it can do without Russian gas immediately. Which means that if Europe fails to adopt a gas embargo, it’s because of other member states – understand: Germany. Poland, without prior coordination with its allies, publicly urges to deliver aircraft to Ukraine, but only through the United States, through an air base in Germany. If the planes do not surrender, Warsaw says, it’s because of the United States or Germany. Hungary easily overcomes it – at least in the eyes of German public opinion – with its pro-Russian stance. Budapest gladly accepts cheap Russian gas and, if necessary, pays the bill in rubles as well.
The quarrel benefits only Putin
It may occur to you that some EU members would not be unhappy to see Germany in bad shape – and losing some of its economic power and prosperity. Wickedness? Maybe. The fact is that in the scheme of reprimands, requests and additions, two pairs are always needed. One who shouts loudly, gets nervous and tells the other – and the other lets them do it.
An excessive spectacle. After all, everyone has the same goal: to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. So why sow discord? It only helps one person: Putin./DW
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