Liana Fix believes that Germany's reluctance to deliver arms to Ukraine will have fatal consequences.
The political scientist and historian is program manager in the international politics department of the Körber Foundation with a focus on Russia and Eastern Europe - and she says: »Germany must finally show its strength.«
In the new digital subscription format SPIEGEL Deep Dive, Fix explained to viewers how she came to this conclusion.
Then she answered the questions of the moderator, SPIEGEL reporter Susanne Koelbl, and the connected subscribers.
Rely on “deterrence”.
After the end of the Cold War, Germany was Russia's most important bridge to Europe for a long time, Fix argued.
Therefore, for Vladimir Putin, Germany's actions are still "an indicator of how serious Europe is about stopping Russia's war in Ukraine."
Germany's lack of leadership also weakens Europe and does not contribute to de-escalation.
In the future, Germany will have to rely on “deterrence” against Russia, Fix also said.
The Russia with which at least limited cooperation was possible in the past, »this Russia no longer exists.
Russian politics and economy are subordinate to the war readiness of the President and his immediate entourage.
Russia has become "a dictatorship with totalitarian traits."
»What is the motive for the German restraint«, one viewer wanted to know after the lecture.
Fix said that in recent weeks Germany has always tried to "swim along" with the group of Western countries instead of taking the lead, for fear of economic consequences and fear of escalation.
A concession by Russia?
"Unrealistic"
However, Fix believes that the hope that Putin can be persuaded to give in "and to negotiate in good faith" is unrealistic: "Negotiations are possible based on military gains," she says.
And Germany must support Ukraine in this.
When asked by a viewer when one could speak of a victory, Fix explained that, in her view, a withdrawal of Russia behind the lines that applied before the outbreak of war would be sufficient.
"This is the defeat on which to negotiate with Russia." She added that Russia certainly cannot be defeated as an actor and nuclear power in Europe.
"This is not possible."
The next guests at Deep Dive
As an exception, on June 29 at 7 p.m., Susanne Koelbl invites you to the next round of SPIEGEL Deep Dive – then the military historian Sönke Neitzel will be her guest.
Neitzel draws comparisons to earlier wars and outlines which decisions in the past led to military catastrophes.
"The Germans have to get used to the reality of war again," he says.
Neitzel will also explain this point of view in a short statement - and then answer questions from the viewers and moderator Susanne Koelbl.
If you are a subscriber, you can register for the event here.
The theologian Margot Käßmann, who will be part of SPIEGEL Deep Dive on July 5 at 6 p.m., has a completely different approach.
She says: »Weapons do not create peace!« We will send out invitations to this event to subscribers as soon as possible.
If you are not yet a subscriber and would like to try out SPIEGEL+, you can take out a trial subscription here.