As NATO countries quickly form a line to waltz with Ukraine, Germany’s not in a dancing mood. They aren’t gonna spin either Ukraine or Russia around the dance floor and the rest of the troupe is giving them the stink eye for it. Fellow NATO members are questioning Germany’s unwillingness to stand up to Russia. Whose side are they on?
The issue intensified when only a few days ago, the Germans successfully blocked Estonia from shipping some of its old German-built howitzers to Ukraine. They were intended to help Ukraine better defend itself against the thousands of Russian troops staring down its throat.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter that Germany’s stance does “not correspond to the level of our relations and the current security situation.” He’s confused about the defensive weapons not making it through.
Kuleba is not the only one confused. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he has no knowledge of the weapons being blocked and that Germany stands in full allegiance with NATO and its European partners.
Here comes the but… Scholz also said that whoever within his administration was responsible for keeping the howitzers out of Ukrainian hands did the right thing. While Germany supports action against Russia, he said, “We don’t provide any lethal weapons.” This has caused concern among some Germans who fear they may no longer be viewed as a reliable partner.
Germany’s former ambassador to the United States, Wolfgang Ischinger, who disagrees with Germany’s new stance, asked, “How many in Berlin are actually aware how are seemingly confused Ukraine policy harms not just (Germany) but the entire EU?” Ischinger currently serves as the head of the Munich Security Conference.
Rachel Ellehuus, deputy director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia program at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, believes she knows the answer to Germany’s reluctance to get involved.
She said, “There’s the obvious legacy of Germany’s own militarization in Europe during two world wars that {sic} has led many German leaders to view any military response as the last resort.” They’re still trying to overcome their bad reputation.
Ellehuss also made mention of how Germany’s attitude might one day bite them in their own bratwurst. “The government does not seem to grasp that sending defensive weapons to Ukraine might actually deter further Russian aggression.”
Sabine Fischer, a senior Russia expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, said the decision made by Scholz is poppycock. “There have always been borderline cases here, such as the Kosovo war or support for the Kurds against IS in Syria.”
All of this has unfolded just days following the commander of the German Navy resigning amidst criticism. Former Vice Admiral Kay–Achim Schoenbach, speaking at a shindig in India, stressed the importance of having Russia on Germany’s side should the Chinese start acting up. He went as far as to suggest that Vladimir Putin deserves “respect.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said there should be no doubt concerning Berlin’s dim view of Russia’s activity, and she may have even indicated a possible change of heart once the scenario is further hashed out.
She said, “In recent weeks, more than 100,000 Russian troops with tanks and guns have gathered near Ukraine for no understandable reason. And it’s hard not to see that as a threat.”
But even if the Germans were to reconsider their involvement, they’ve already prevented defensive weapons from entering Ukraine, and Putin could blow the whistle at any second. Still, it makes one wonder. What’s Germany and its new administration really up to? Germany’s lingering reputation far precedes them, and what goes around all too often has a nasty habit of coming back around. Never say never…
