Pope's recent statements on the subject of “Taurus” lack understanding of evasive answers: Foreign Minister Baerbach Karen Mioska Ukraine took a stand in the war. It's about Russian propaganda.
On the ARD talk show Karen Mioska Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbach criticized the Pope's recent statements that Ukraine must show “the courage to raise the white flag” and save itself from suicide by agreeing to peace talks. “I don't understand it at this point,” Baerbach said. “Perhaps we should go to Ukraine with those asking for peace talks,” said the foreign minister.
“Where's the Pope?”
“I think some things can only be understood if you see them for yourself,” the green politician continued. As she talks to children in war-torn Ukraine, she asks herself, “Where is the Pope? The Pope must know about these things.” The federal government is “trying every day to end this terrible drama, and every day we see worse things being contemplated.”
Addressing those calling for an end to German arms supplies, the foreign minister declared, “If we do not show strength now, there will be no peace.” That's why we need to show commitment – including arms deliveries. “We must stand by Ukraine and do everything we can to ensure that it can defend itself.”
Do not completely reject the “Taurus” delivery
Berbach was ambiguous about the delivery of the “Taurus” cruise missiles. Asked about Chancellor Olaf Scholz's decision to reject the deliveries, he evasively replied: “We will talk about it together, but privately.” The foreign minister certainly did not want to rule out a delivery.
The Bundestag is expected to vote on the “Taurus” deliveries again on Thursday. The union wing had submitted an application for the same. Some MPs from traffic light parties are also expected to agree to the motion. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron also mentioned the ring exchange in the Süddeutsche Zeitung. Baerbach called it “a preference.”
The talk of Bundeswehr officers detained by Russia was also a topic on the show. Beerbock said: “We need to invest in our cyber security.” Other countries are now making further progress. Berbach said the Baltic states have warned President Vladimir Putin and Russian cyberattacks. Recently, a recording of a wiretapped message by Bundeswehr officers was made public via Russian media, which was exploited by Russian propaganda and presented as evidence that Germany was planning an attack on Russia.
at Karen Mioska He, too, has already become a target of Russian propaganda, Baerbach said. His grandfather's Wehrmacht past was discussed by the Kremlin-loyal broadcaster Russia Today. “You can see it's a strategy of attrition.” Putin knew before the election it was all about the mood. “You can influence the mood to the max with all these fake news and all methods.” Russia will hold presidential elections next week.
Disunity benefits the Kremlin
In the next panel discussion, Finnish political scientist Minna Aland did not share the fear that the supply of “Taurus” cruise missiles would force Germany into the war: “We joined NATO and World War III did not break out,” she said. Aimed at their country's recent entry into the security alliance. At the start of the Ukraine invasion, Putin warned of consequences if Finland and Sweden joined a military alliance.
Contradictory German diplomacy, especially when it comes to arms deliveries, has been well received in Moscow, says Michael Thumann, a reporter from the Russian capital for the weekly newspaper Zeit. Russian propaganda exploits the rift between the foreign minister and the chancellor, as well as rifts between European countries and alliance partners.
Political scientist Hollande considers Germany and France to be at odds. There is no leadership in the current crisis. Donald Trump's threat to leave European allies on their own after another election as US president is alarming, a political scientist has said. The feeling rises in Finland: “At last we shall be alone again.”
Beyerbach acknowledged the problems in cooperation between the Western partners: “We have to work for this unity every month,” he demanded, considering German-French relations and the EU's common policy on foreign and security issues.
