In “Maischberger”, Sahra Wagenknecht and Katrin Göring-Eckardt engage in a duel about the war in Ukraine – towards the end the talk completely slips away.
Berlin - "The headline of the program is the 'Ukraine War' - but, with all due respect, that is the Russian war against Ukraine." A quote with resonance in Sandra Maischberger's talk on Monday evening. This was done by Katrin Göring-Eckardt, Bundestag Vice President from the Greens. That didn't go down well with her counterpart. Sahra Wagenknecht, chairwoman of the BSW party named after her. Then the talk got wild.
For her statement, Göring-Eckardt received applause from the studio audience, who almost let her follow-up “Ukraine is defending its territory, that’s what it’s about” go down. A few minutes before the end of the broadcast, however, it wasn't the last sentence of the talk that became somewhat incomprehensible. Göring-Eckardt previously described Ukraine's defense goals as “realistic if it is sufficiently equipped” despite the difficult situation at the front. We saw that, we know that.”
Wagenknecht and Göring-Eckardt at Maischberger – after the quote slip the talk slips away
When the Green politician starts, for example, Maischberger is already pushing for shorter answers. Nevertheless, Göring-Eckard reports a Ukrainian woman who told her: “The worst thing I can imagine is that Putin rules over us. Because then our life, our freedom is over.” Wagenknecht, who had listened stoically and calmly to the explanations, now intervenes.
You have to achieve a situation in which the guns are silent, the politician points out, but is repeatedly interrupted by her opponent. “I find this war criminal, just as I find every war criminal,” Wagenknecht makes clear, but calls for “a minimum level of realism if you want to end this war.” She is certain that this war cannot be ended militarily. She calls statements such as those made by Lars Klingbeil from the SPD that Ukraine must be able to be supplied with weapons for at least another ten years “crazy.” Göring-Eckardt just shakes his head in incomprehension. Both interrupt each other over and over again. Then Wagenknecht suddenly unpacks a piece of paper.
“I would like to read a few quotes,” announces Wagenknecht – then Maischberger groans in annoyance
“I would like to read a few quotes because they are important to me,” announces the BSW politician. When moderator Maischberger tries to stop her with a “don’t come to me with a piece of paper,” Wagenknecht throws a stroppy “yes” at her. Even in Maischberger's sentences, she begins to read a quote from a Ukrainian negotiator: "The Russians were ready to end the war if we had agreed to neutrality and committed ourselves not to joining NATO." Moderator Maischberger groans audibly in annoyance.
Wagenknecht's demand: build on this proposal and attempt a peace agreement. Göring-Eckardt also wants to contradict her. Then things get chaotic again. Sandra Maischberger now also joins in with Wagenknecht's remarks, sometimes all three people involved in the talk speak at the same time. Even TV viewers can hardly understand what exactly is being argued about. While the presenter is still trying to get the opponents to calm down - also because the show is about to end - the audience joins the scene with applause.
Maischberger Talk descends into chaos - even in the moderation there are still arguments
Moderator Maischberger can hardly hide her annoyance at Wagenknecht's recitation when the scene has finally calmed down, but still passes the ball to Göring-Eckardt regarding possible negotiations. When the BSW boss intervenes again, Maischberger waves her away with one hand. Göring-Eckardt still has to say about the negotiations that she is in favor of examining “every option”. The reality, however, is that Germany also has a responsibility to militarily align Kiev in the Ukraine war so that the energy supply and civilian buildings are no longer bombed. Ms. Wagenknecht interrupts her again.
Both opponents even continue to speak unmolested about Maischberger's attempt at moderation. She aptly sums up the last minutes of chaos in the talk: “They won't agree on that today.” And those watching are left in confusion.