Selenskyj consultant shocks journalist with description - and calls for a new middle ground from Scholz

Created: 03/18/2022 05:04

Alexander Rodnyansky and Natascha Sindeewa on the Ukraine war at “Maischberger”.

© WDR/Oliver Ziebe

Should Germany afford to cut off Putin's gas and oil?

In an interview with Finance Minister Christian Lindner, Maischberger jokes about his tank discount. 

Berlin – Alexander Rodnyansky describes what the Ukraine war* is doing to European values, how quickly the brutalization is taking place in the ARD talk “Maischberger”*.

The adviser to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj* reports on a crime brought to his attention from the war front: In a suburb of Kiev, Russian soldiers first shot the father in front of the child, then raped the mother and then she and the child without clothes in the cold put to flight.

Maischberger ticks off the shocking report without further debate.

Not a word about the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which had already called on Russia to end the war immediately.

"Maischberger.

The week" - these guests discussed with:

• Christian Lindner*

  (FDP) - Federal Minister of Finance

• Dr.

  _

  Alexander Rodnyansky

   - Associate at Cambridge University's Economics Institute, adviser to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy

• Natasha Sindeewa

   - founder of the Russian television channel

  Dozhd - which has since been closed

As experts: 

• Anja Kohl

   - ARD stock exchange expert

• Tilo Jung

   - Editor of the video channel

  Jung & Naiv

• Wolfram Weimer

  - Publisher of

  The European

Maischberger also remains factual in Rodnyansky's further descriptions - especially in comparison to the Russian journalist Natascha Sindeewa, whose broadcaster Dozhd recently had to be shut down, who apparently fought back tears when she saw the Ukrainian's portrayals.

Rodnyansky speaks of "serious destruction" of the infrastructure, especially in the north and east of his country, of the "encircled city of Mariupol*" and - like his president - continues to show unbroken fighting spirit: "We all in Ukraine believe that we Win the war!” However, only with the support of Western countries.

Ukrainian shows understanding for European concerns about a no-fly zone

Rodnyansky shows - this attitude is new - that Maischberger understands the European fears regarding the establishment of a no-fly zone over Ukraine*, but at the same time makes calls for anti-aircraft missiles clear: "There must be a middle solution between a no-fly zone and doing nothing at all. "

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Rodnyansky sees little substance in Russia's current negotiation offers.

Talks with the large neighboring country have been tried for 20 years.

In his estimation, Russia is only using the announcement of talks to gain time for new "replenishments" and "operations" and to give the West the impression that there is still hope - also to retain a majority for continued gas supplies.

Maischberger nods.  

Where the moderator is reluctant, the ARD journalist Anja Kohl from the panel of experts and appeals in an almost flaming speech for a clearer stance by the traffic light government *.

The "world is reorganizing itself," said Kohl.

It is not only crucial for Ukraine, but for the "entire world" who will win this war.

Therefore, an immediate "change in economic policy" and a rethinking of the population is necessary: ​​"It must be in the interest of all Europeans to end this war as quickly as possible."

Rodnyansky thinks the warnings are justified: While the people "from Eastern Europe" still know the "mentality" - the Ukrainian means the unscrupulousness of the Russian leadership - the threat in the West "has not yet arrived".

Journalist for rethinking: not Germany from gas, Putin is dependent on payments

Kohl sees it as a "mistake by Germany and the EU" not to have "joined the US oil embargo".

Because, according to Kohl, "every day that this war lasts longer" costs.

Human lives are priceless anyway, but the economic costs, the collapse of the Russian economy and the "world food crisis", which - Kohl refers to the current UN forecasts - "Africa will definitely get" can no longer be accepted.

Kohl is calling for a rethink and an end to dependence on Russian gas.

Not Germany, according to the journalist, "Putin" is "immensely" dependent on our payments, is dependent on the import of many goods and will soon have to sell his gas "wringingly".

Rodnyansky sees it the same way: The "sale of gas and oil" drives the "Russian war machine" forward.

The Ukrainian is certain: "If this sale is no longer available, the machine will stop."

Kohl sees no problem in finding an alternative to oil - there is plenty of it in several countries and in the reserves of Western nations.

A replacement for gas is difficult but solvable, Kohl is certain.

In addition, there will only be a problem in the coming winter half-year, since the country has reserves for three months.

Kohl is certain: the industry would have to cut back, one would have to “save”.

But that the “economy collapses?

No!".

"If not in a war in Europe," the journalist asks, "what else should these reserves be used for?".

Maischberger provokes finance minister Christian Lindner with satire about the tank discount

At the end of the show it gets smaller.

Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) can still comment on his proposal for a tank discount.

The viewer quickly realizes that the chemistry between Lindner and the moderator is not the best.

Maischberger pulls Lindner's suggestion through cocoa, fades in a joke from the satirical show "extra 3".

You can see an obviously well-off young guy with his car in front of a gas station, along with the speech bubble: "That's why I voted for the FDP: that they intervene in the market if it's useful for me!".

Lindner ignores the ironic comment with a tense look.

Lindner also responded to further provocations and interruptions by Maischberger with effortless sovereignty, but he couldn't help but say "Let me speak for a moment".

“Is there a suggestion or not?” Maischberger wants to know from Lindner.

He refers to France, which has introduced a petrol discount and snaps back: "At least I see many in the SPD who are in favor of it!"

Conclusion of the “Maischberger.

The week” talks

Sandra Maischberger didn't want to be accused of skipping a topic of the week and packed everything into one show: climate change, world order - of course the war in Ukraine - and fuel prices, even Corona regulations.

The targeted killing of civilians by Russian bombs and the rape and shooting of people stood alongside satirical comments on the fuel discount for “Porsche drivers” and the “Putin solos”.

The latter seemed more than out of place.

These are times that require courage.

With Maischberger, "courage to leave a gap" would have been enough.

Verena Schulemann