As of: February 25, 2024, 10:51 a.m
By: Felix Durach
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How can Germany contribute to an end to the war in Ukraine?
IPPEN.MEDIA asks the parties in the Bundestag on the anniversary of the start of the war.
Munich – On February 24, 2022, Russian forces invaded areas of eastern and northern Ukraine.
As it later became known, Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to take the Ukrainian capital Kiev and overthrow President Volodymyr Zelensky within a few days.
Exactly two years later, the war in Ukraine has developed into a bitter trench war in the east of the country.
Two years of war in Ukraine: Fierce fighting along the front continues
Russian and Ukrainian armed forces have been fighting for relatively small towns such as Bakhmut or Avdiivka, sometimes for months.
Front line movement has been kept to a minimum in recent months.
The debates in Germany and Europe have also remained the same.
At the beginning of 2023 there was still debate about the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks, but the question of Taurus cruise missiles is now on the political agenda.
Geopolitically, however, new challenges are looming.
The 2024 US election and a possible return of Donald Trump to the White House cast their shadow ahead.
The US's support for Ukraine could therefore be in jeopardy.
There is also increasing pessimism among the European population about Ukraine's chances in the war against Russia.
The government in Kiev is facing an uncertain future.
On the second anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine,
Merkur.de
asked the parties in the German Bundestag: What can Germany do to work towards an end to the war?
Two years of war in Ukraine: SPD parliamentary group wants to maintain massive support
Gabriele Heinrich, deputy parliamentary group leader of the SPD in the Bundestag, continues to rely on massive support for Ukraine.
Because a diplomatic solution is currently a long way off: “Germany stands unwaveringly at the side of the Ukrainians who defend their country bravely and successfully.
We made our support clear again this week with our motion in the Bundestag.
In close consultation with our partners and allies, we will continue to maintain our strong support for Ukraine - humanitarian, financial, military and diplomatic.
We will support Ukraine for as long as necessary – the faster the Russian regime understands this, the closer we will be to an end to the war.”
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The fact is that a negotiated solution is currently a long way off.
Gabriele Heinrich (SPD)
“The fact is that a negotiated solution is currently a long way off.
Nevertheless, we should be well prepared in case the diplomatic window opens again.
Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and integrity will always be our top priority.”
It is the second anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine.
There is no end to the conflict in sight.
© Dmytro Smolienko/imago-images
Anniversary of the start of the war: CDU insists on Taurus deliveries to Ukraine
Roderich Kiesewetter (CDU), deputy chairman of the parliamentary control committee, called, among other things, for a significant increase in arms deliveries: “Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates international law, will end when Russia withdraws its troops from Ukraine.
Germany should put Ukraine in a position of strength in order to enable the liberation of the occupied territories and push back the Russian aggressor troops.
This can only be achieved with a change in strategy in support, delivering as much as possible and as quickly as possible.”
We must deliver effective weapons and, in particular, increase their quantity and quality
Roderich Kiesewetter (CDU)
“Three measures underpin this strategy so that a victory for Ukraine is more likely: We must deliver effective weapons and, in particular, increase their mass and quality; ammunition and long-range cruise missiles like Taurus are acutely important.
Secondly, we must make sanctions against Russia more effective and close loopholes, as well as improve implementation.
Thirdly, we must give Ukraine a clear and non-negotiable future perspective; this can only be a clear invitation at the Washington summit to become a NATO member as soon as security conditions allow it.”
“In order for us to implement these measures politically, the federal government must understand that Russia is in an alliance with China, Iran and North Korea (CRINK), which massively support it.
In this respect, an overall strategy against CRINK is required, which can only consist of economic, political and military deterrence.
There is no way around boosting arms production, budgetary reprioritization within the debt brake and economic and political sanctions, including against Iran and China.”
After two years of war in Ukraine, the Greens do not expect a diplomatic solution
Agnieszka Brugger, deputy leader of the Green Party in the Bundestag, does not expect a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Ukraine must therefore continue to be able to defend itself militarily: “The people in Ukraine are suffering from Russian terror and war crimes.
It is more than obvious that Vladimir Putin does not want to negotiate; he is driven by an imperialist ideology.
Only if Ukraine successfully defends itself militarily will Russia be persuaded to end its criminal war against freedom and only then will there be a chance for real negotiations.”
It is more than obvious that Vladimir Putin does not want to negotiate; he is driven by an imperialist ideology
Agnieszka Brugger (Greens)
“That is why we expressed in our motion yesterday in the Bundestag that Germany, like other European partners, needs to do more in addition to the measures it has already taken.
In addition to the important contributions to air defense and tanks, there is urgently needed ammunition.
But support for Ukraine is not just limited to military issues; it also includes, for example, closing opportunities to circumvent sanctions, dealing with war crimes under the rule of law or long-term support for reconstruction and Ukraine's desire to become a member of the EU and NATO .”
“In this context, the signing of the security agreement last week, which underpinned Germany's support for the next few years in a politically binding manner, was an important step.
Another milestone will be the reconstruction conference organized by the federal government this year.”
Two years of war in Ukraine: Left leader Wissler calls for more diplomatic efforts
Janine Wissler, co-chair of the Left party, calls on the federal government to make greater diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the conflict: “The fact that after two years of war the federal government continues to rely almost exclusively on arms deliveries does not bring peace for Ukraine any closer .
On the contrary, there are now more than half a million dead or seriously injured soldiers.
The traffic light is caught in a military logic and there is no sign of any diplomatic approach to ending this terrible war.”
The traffic light is caught in a military logic and there is no sign of any diplomatic approach to ending this terrible war.
Janine Wissler (The Left)
“The federal government should increase its diplomatic efforts instead of supplying ever more and heavier weapons.
Instead, Germany should make it easier for Russian deserters and conscientious objectors to enter the country.
That would be an important contribution to ending the war.”
Anniversary of the Russian attack: FDP names four dimensions of aid to Ukraine
Alexander Müller, defense policy spokesman for the FDP in the Bundestag, names four dimensions of support for Ukraine.
The price for Putin's Russia must be high: “The war will be over immediately and permanently if Putin has to withdraw with his army.
Any subjugation of Ukraine with the aim of handing over areas that were seized by military force will only lead to a so-called frozen conflict, which will break out again and again, as it has since 2014.
A stable peace will only succeed if Russia has withdrawn.”
“The war will be over immediately and permanently if Putin has to withdraw with his army”
Alexander Müller (FDP)
“Our contribution to a Ukrainian victory in this war has four dimensions.
First: humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian population.
Second: supply of armaments for the Ukrainian defenders and training on the systems.
Third: pressure on Russia at the international, diplomatic level.
Fourth: economic sanctions, such as the current review of the use of frozen Russian funds for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction.
The price for continuing the war must be so high that the cost-benefit calculation becomes negative from the Kremlin's point of view."
(Felix Durach)