“The situation in Ukraine is of decisive importance for the security of Europe,” journalist Daniel Broessler argues in a commentary in Sueddeutsche Zeitung. He also lists “two signals” that Germany sent towards Moscow this week.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz paid a visit to Lithuania, providing demonstrative support to the Baltic states in the face of threats from Russia. As journalist Daniel Broessler said on Tuesday in a comment published in the online edition of the daily “Sueddeutsche Zeitung”, it is a right gesture, but the situation in Ukraine is decisive for the outcome of the confrontation with Putin.
The columnist assessed that “Germany sent two signals towards Moscow this week.” “First of all, they called their ambassador Alexander Graf Lambsdorf for consultations in Berlin, thus expressing disapproval of the attacks by Russian hackers. The second signal was the visit of the German Chancellor to the Baltic countries,” he pointed out.
He noted that “against the background of tanks and soldiers in combat gear, Olaf Scholz confirmed his commitment to defend every square centimeter of NATO territory in the event of Russian aggression.”
Is Germany doing enough?
The need to prepare for the possibility of an attack is becoming more and more relevant with the advance of Russian troops on Ukrainian territory and with nuclear threats from Vladimir Putin. There is basically complete agreement on this among the democratic countries of Europe, noted the author of the comment.
In his opinion, the answer to the question whether Germany is doing enough to prevent this worst-case scenario is less clear. Broessler pointed out that Defense Minister Boris Pistorius began the discussion on next year's budget with a “well-founded warning” that he lacks billions for a credible policy to deter Russia.
As Broessler emphasizes, “the situation in Ukraine is of decisive importance for Europe's security.” In his opinion, French President Emmanuel Macron is right when he says that in the event of a Russian victory, Europe will not be safe.
“Although it is right to signal the regime in Moscow that it is ready to defend itself, it is equally important to drastically increase support for Ukraine. Anyone who really wants to stop Putin must do it in Ukraine,” the journalist concludes.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/RAMIL SITDIKOV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL