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Chancellor Olaf Scholz visiting a Bundeswehr base in Bergen, Lower Saxony, on October 17, 2022
Photo: FABIAN BIMMER / REUTERS
A group of members of the Bundestag from the Greens and the FDP has called for Germany to play a leading role in further arms deliveries to Ukraine.
“We appeal to the Federal Government and our partners in the European Union and NATO to jointly and collectively evaluate the respective national military capabilities and plans and, if necessary, to restructure them in order to provide Ukraine with higher-quality supplies of equipment and weapons to liberate those illegally occupied by Russia area," says an appeal entitled "Together for peace in Ukraine and Europe."
Germany has "the political, economic and military prerequisites to initiate joint, coordinated action among our partners and allies," says the appeal, which SPIEGEL has seen.
Praise for the help provided from Germany
The appeal is supported by a total of 24 MPs.
The Greens were signed by the two foreign policy experts, Robin Wagener and Jamila Schäfer, who visited Kyiv in July, as well as Sara Nanni, the group's defense policy spokesperson, and Anton Hofreiter, the chair of the European Affairs Committee.
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chairwoman of the Defense Committee, deputy parliamentary group leader Gyde Jensen and foreign policy spokesman Ulrich Lechte signed on the FDP side, among others.
One looks in vain for members of the SPD under the appeal.
Attempts to persuade social democratic colleagues to sign have not been successful so far, according to the signatories.
Result of »countless conversations«
"This appeal is the result of countless discussions," Green MP Robin Wagener told SPIEGEL.
The aim is a self-confident and substantive debate in the parliamentary space.
"We'll continue to talk about this within the traffic light, as we did before the appeal was published, and it will continue to be open to all traffic light deputies," said Wagener.
The group expressly praises the help that the federal government has already provided, but at the same time contradicts those who warn of an escalation if Germany plays an excessive role.
According to the appeal, Germany has made a massive contribution to increasing Ukraine's defense capabilities.
"Together with our international partners, we have enabled Ukraine to withstand Russian attacks."
The delivery of modern Western artillery systems such as the Panzerhaubitze 2000, the Gepard anti-aircraft vehicle or the MARS multiple rocket launcher enabled the Ukrainian armed forces to launch their first liberation offensives in the occupied areas.
“Although we remain rhetorical opponents of the Russian regime and its propaganda, no expansion or Russian escalation as a result of our support has been observed,” the appeal reads.
The parliamentarians argue that arms deliveries continue to be "morally imperative, legal and correct".
These were within the framework of the United Nations Charter, which expressly allows such assistance.
The authors of the appeal reject fears that military aid to Ukraine could be interpreted as entering the war.
"From the point of view of international law, the military support of Ukraine through the continuous supply of weapons - regardless of the type and volume - does not make any of the Ukrainian allies a war party."
The signatories write that the Federal Republic of Germany has a special responsibility for peace in Europe at this time.
"As a country responsible for the worst human rights crimes in Europe - especially in Poland and the countries of the former Soviet Union - we have a special obligation to restore and secure peace." prevent and stop human rights violations.
»We have to fulfill this order in a new scope.«
The signatories are also concerned with the trust of their partners in Germany, said Wagener.
If everyone were to point fingers at each other, a circular argument of denial of responsibility would result.
"We are politically, economically and militarily in a position to lead a European alliance in support of Ukraine," said the Green foreign politician.
"We have a duty to do so in view of the Russian war of aggression."
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