Marina Weisband headbutts Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “The goal is not to formally become a war party. But Putin does not care about international law,” says the native Ukrainian. The warmonger of the Kremlin has been waging war against the West for a long time, for example through disinformation. “Putin has been at war with us for a long time, and we don't want to face it,” criticizes Weisband, adding that Ukrainians are “tortured by petty politics.” The West and Germany apparently have no “real strategy”. Germany did provide a lot of military support, but always too late. “The most important thing is that we show honesty in communication.” For their part, the Ukrainians hoped for support because they had no choice.
Journalist Nemtsova feels “Stalinist times”
Russian journalist Zanna Borisovna Nemtsova is involved. She is the daughter of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, who was assassinated in 2015. He says he notices that things are getting tougher in Russia. Repressions in the country would increase. “Many members of the opposition are killed or arrested. Putin's regime is becoming more and more dictatorial. It's like Stalinist times,” he explains. At the upcoming funeral of Alexei Anatolyevich Navalny, the regime will do everything to ensure that people cannot say goodbye to him. Filming is also prohibited in the church. have medieval characteristics,” he complains. “In Russia, it is impossible to criticize on state television. We have no resistance.” But Putin's Achilles heel is mobilization. “War is becoming less and less popular.”
Ischinger: “We must not turn Russia into a pseudo-giant”
“There is no reason to fall into depression,” says longtime diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger. Also, Ukraine will “very quickly” receive lost ammunition from its allies. Currently, the material is purchased from the world market. Ischinger believes the West may seem more confident. “I respect Olaf Scholz's principle of not getting involved in war. The only question is what draws us into it?” He complains that Germany and other countries have contributed to an unpleasant asymmetry towards Russia. “Putin does not exclude anything at all, while the West excludes many things.” However, in Ischinger's opinion, nothing should be excluded for strategic reasons alone. “We must not make Russia into a pseudo-giant. We can be confident and optimistic.” The economic power of the West is 25 times greater than that of the Russians. Russia could be “equipped on the ground”.
Roth calls for 'European team play'
“This is an absolutely terrible week,” says Michael Roth (SPD), referring to the recent disagreement between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Scholz over Ukraine strategy. “But our adversary is not sitting in the chancellery,” he says and calls on the heads of state: “Sit down together, make it clear and give a sign of unity. This is the only way to impress the man in the Kremlin.” would be saved”. Now there must be a “European team game”. At the same time, the impression remains that Russia is a “strong toad” and “we are poor and weak”. “This is not true!” But Europe must agree. “It will not work without the British, the French and without Germans.”
Weisband: “We don't have enough blood”
“Putin will not stop,” believes Russian journalist Nemtsova. “If he feels weak, he will continue. Maybe he will open another front. You just have to look at what is happening in Transnistria. Therefore, it is important that Ukraine wins.” “We gave Putin too much time to consolidate his positions in Ukraine,” complains Ukrainian-born Weisband. That's how Ukraine loses. “We don't have enough blood.” At the same time, Putin can no longer rule Russia without war. Weisband believes that the man in the Kremlin would celebrate Ukraine after victory for a year and then invade the Baltics. “Our bravest warriors are dying. Nothing will remain of Ukraine. And the US is now drawing up a ten-year plan. This level of cynicism cannot be surpassed.”