24.01.2022, Berlin.
Sending a courtesy signal to Putin from Fredrich Merz, the leader of Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and Marcus Söder, the leader of Christian Social Union (CSU), turned out to be more important than upholding the principles of the Western Alliance, wrote Nicolas Busse, foreign policy editor of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) on January 23.
Commenting on the situation around the conflict in Ukraine, Busse draws attention to the fact that the leaders of the CDU and CSU, Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder, called for postponing Ukraine’s entry into NATO. According to the journalist, in doing so, the politicians sent a “courtesy signal to Putin” which they view more important than “upholding the principles of the Western alliance”, although, it’s already obvious that such a thing is not going to happen in the foreseeable future.
The German government fuels the old mistrust that currently prevails in Eastern Europe about Berlin’s Russia policy by the fact that it is now, apparently, blocking arms supplies from Estonia to Ukraine, claims the editor. In addition, Vice Admiral Kai-Achim Schönbach’s recent statements about Ukraine and Russia have also heightened doubts about Germany’s official position on Ukraine.
During his visit to the Indian capital Delhi, the former Commander of the German Navy, Kay-Achim Schönbach, said that talks about Russia preparing to annex parts of Ukraine are “nonsense.” In addition, the vice admiral said that “Crimea is gone and will not be returned,” and Ukraine currently does not meet the necessary requirements for joining the military alliance.
Schönbach’s statements provoked sharp criticism. German Defense Minister Christina Lambrecht held an emergency meeting with Bundeswehr Inspector General Eberhard Zorn and condemned the statements made by the head of the Navy. On the same day, the vice admiral resigned, admitting that he had made “thoughtless comments” on security and military policy.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
