Gysi doesn't believe in Ukrainian victory and calls for easing of sanctions against Russia

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Foreign politicians Michael Roth and Gregor Gysi in conversation with moderator Markus Feldenkirchen

Left-wing politician Gregor Gysi criticizes the fact that Western sanctions against Russia also affect the local population.

"It can't be our goal that the Russian population is doing badly," said the foreign policy spokesman for the left-wing parliamentary group in the SPIEGEL top-level discussion with moderator Markus Feldenkirchen and the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael Roth (SPD).

The foreign policy spokesman for the left-wing parliamentary group in the Bundestag called for some areas to be exempted from the sanctions.

"I would continue to deliver certain machines if they are important for a huge industrial company that would otherwise have to lay off ten thousand people," said Gysi.

He warned that the sanctions would result in "counter-responses" from Russia, for example in the energy sector.

Roth is pushing for more sanctions

Roth, on the other hand, defended the existing measures and called for an extension.

"I'm for more sanctions, not fewer sanctions," said the SPD politician.

He introduced stricter restrictions, especially for the Russian elite.

"We have to completely undermine these people who have become rich and powerful in Putin's slipstream," said Roth.

He cannot accept that oligarchs can continue to buy luxury apartments in London and Berlin, for example.

more on the subject

• Despite tightening of the law: Russian oligarchs continue to conceal their assets in Germany

• Rich Russians:»Putin's war endangers the business model of the oligarchs«An interview by Oliver Das Gupta, Vienna

Gysi does not believe in Ukrainian victory

Looking at the current course of the war, Gysi was skeptical that Ukraine would be able to completely repel the Russian attack.

"She can't win," he said.

"Russia cannot be beaten militarily," said Gysi, "then we would have to wage a nuclear war." The strength of the Kremlin's troops was underestimated.

"What can be done is that a permanent war takes place," said the left-wing politician.

In the process, Russian President Vladimir Putin may find that he cannot win.

"But I don't want a war that lasts for years," said Gysi.

Here, too, Roth took a clear opposing position.

He accused Gysi of sitting on one of Putin's narratives.

"He deliberately plays with the use of nuclear weapons," said the SPD politician, referring to the Kremlin boss.

From his point of view, the Russian troops in Ukraine have already failed, said Roth.

In the south of the country, the Ukrainian troops even have a “realistic chance” of liberating territory occupied by Russia.

The SPD politician appealed for the arms deliveries to Kyiv to continue as quickly as possible.

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