Berlin (AP) — Germany’s refusal to join other NATO members in providing weapons to Ukraine has frustrated some allies and cast doubt on Berlin’s determination to confront Russia.
The problem was highlighted over the weekend after Berlin reportedly blocked Estonia from supplying Kiev with old German howitzers to protect itself from Russian troops rallying near the Ukrainian border.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter that Germany’s stance on arms supply “does not correspond to the level of our relationship or the current security situation.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters in Berlin on Monday, denying that a decision on Howitzer had been made and opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, making his country an ally of NATO and the European Union. Claimed to be standing.
“If this happens, we will act together,” he told reporters. “It will be expensive.”
Still, Germany will continue to provide support to Ukraine, but there will be one exception, he said: “We do not provide deadly weapons.”
Kiev, and its less loud but criticized attitude in Washington and London, has caused astonishment among some Germans who are worried that their country may not be considered a credible partner.
“In Berlin, how many people really know how the seemingly confused Ukrainian policies are harming not only (Germany) but the EU as a whole?” Germany’s former ambassador to the United States? Wolfgang Issinger, who is now head of the annual Munich Security Council, asked.
According to experts, Germany’s position is partly rooted in the history of aggression in the 20th century.
“There is a clear legacy of Germany’s own militarization in Europe during the two World Wars, and many German leaders have come to see military response as a last resort,” said Washington, Europe, Russia. Rachel Elfus, Deputy Director of the Eurasian Program, said. It is based in the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
She said that attitude could backfire. “The current government does not seem to understand that sending defense weapons to Ukraine may actually prevent further Russian invasion.”
Germany has also pointed out a restrictive position on arms exports to conflict zones in the past, but analysts say the rule has not been consistently applied.
“There have always been cross-border incidents here, such as the Kosovo War and support for Kurds in Syria’s IS,” said Sabine Fisher, a senior Russian expert at the German Institute for International Security.
The debate over German weapons took place a few days later from the head of the German Navy. Resigned after domestic and international criticism of his comments on Ukraine and Russia.. At an event in India on Friday, Lieutenant General Kay-Achim Schönbach said it was important to put Russia on the same side of China, and Russian President Vladimir Putin deserves “respect”. I suggested that.
Scholtz’s Social Democrats have infiltrated the legacy of the Cold War reconciliation pursued by his predecessor Willy Brandt, Greens is rooted in a pacifist tradition, and two of Germany’s three parties are non-NATO. You would oppose the idea of supplying the country with weapons. In a dispute with Russia. However, letting Estonia hand over the old Soviet-designed 122 mm D-30 howitzer to Ukraine may be an acceptable compromise.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has revealed that Berlin has a dim view of Russia’s actions, aside from the export of arms to Ukraine.
“In the last few weeks, for no apparent reason, more than 100,000 Russian troops with tanks and guns have gathered near Ukraine, and it’s hard not to see it as a threat,” she said recently in Moscow. Said during the visit.
Speaking with a Russian correspondent she called a “dear colleague,” Baerbock admitted “the suffering and destruction we Germans have brought to the people of the Soviet Union” during the Nazi era, but Germany is tough. If Russia acts against Ukraine, warning that it is ready to consider the steps.
This includes questioning the future of the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which aims to bring the long-awaited natural gas from Russia to Germany.
Such a move towards the largest energy suppliers would be expensive for Germany as well.
Georg Zackman, senior fellow at Brugel, plans to shut down the last three nuclear power plants this year and phase out coal use by 2030 until sufficient renewable energy is online. Said Germany’s dependence on gas would increase in the short term. Brussels economic think tank.
Still, Moscow does not want to undermine its reputation as a reliable supplier of gas, which has been carefully built over decades, so German authorities say that being a major Russian gas customer can take advantage of it. believe.
At the EU Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Brussels on Monday, Prime Minister Annalena Baerbock said he would prioritize worsening the situation for Ukraine, weakening allies’ calls for military assistance to Kiev, and expediting new sanctions on Moscow. rice field.
“Berlin will have to deal with criticisms now coming from Ukraine, other European countries, and Washington,” Fisher said. “At the same time, Germany continues to be an important player in the negotiations surrounding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and I expect it to continue to support sanctions and other measures.”
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Geir Moulson of Berlin contributed to this report.
