The invasion of Ukraine left Germany completely betrayed by Russia. This is what German expert René Cuperus of the Clingendael Institute says in BNR’s De Wereld. According to Cuperus, Germany is therefore a country in a state of geopolitical shock. “They actually had a German-Russian friendship pact.”
A year ago, German Chancellor Scholz called the war in Ukraine a Zeitenwende, or turning point. A turning point not only in the Russian-German relationship and a break with Willy Brandt’s Ostpolitik, but also in the search for a new German role within Europe. And this is difficult for a country that struggles with the ghosts of the past and where many politicians still act with a mentality of that past.
Germany feels betrayed by Russia
“The invasion of Ukraine has left Germany completely betrayed by Russia. Germany is a country in geopolitical shock. In reality they had a Russian-German friendship pact», Cuperus succinctly summarizes the national mentality of Germany. Scholz even visited Putin a week before Russia invaded Ukraine. To actually prevent this.’
Fear
“Germany is afraid for itself,” says Cuperus. ‘Germany is obviously an economic power, but Zeitenwende means that Germany must once again become a military and geopolitical power in Europe. And with that, it should effectively leave behind all the scars of the 20th century – WWI, WWII – and once again become a military superpower in Europe. It takes at least a generation, I think.”
Debt of honor
A direct result of World War II, and of the blame Germany assumed, was that pacifism became part of postwar Germany’s DNA. ‘Germany is actually a pacifist country. There is huge hesitation about all these arms deliveries. (to Ukraine, ed.).’ That is why arms deliveries are coordinated or combined with Europe, the United States or France. “And that’s behind this strange connection between the Leopold I, II and Abram tanks.”
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Another symptom of that postwar pacifism is crumbling German support for aid to Ukraine. ‘After the Second World War, Germany considers itself a ‘Friedensmacht’. Like a country that never goes to war again, that actually wants to have a weak army. And then you start fiddling with those Leopard 2 tanks.
“Germany is afraid of itself”
Not grass
According to Cuperus, Chancellor Olaf Scholz feels very well that there is a strong “sense of no weed” among the German population, but he put a good spin on this in his speech. According to Cuperus, Scholz explained well that ‘nie wieder’ (no more war, ed) also refers to armed resistance against a war of aggressive aggression, which also means: never again imperialism.
Scholz not only has to navigate the hurdles of public opinion deftly, he also finds himself in a political minefield. Both in Germany and abroad. For example, Scholz is under heavy pressure from Eastern European countries. “To do much more than him. And today he didn’t mention them in that speech. I found it significant.’
face
And within his own party he has to deal with the mastodons of the SPD who are still mentally in Ostpolitik, while the coalition partners of the Greens beat the war drum. It’s a balancing act. He seems to be more interested in domestic politics than international politics. This has to do with hesitations within one’s SPD. These are people who were very close to Russia. So there is a lot of Russian suffering and pain in that SPD.’
“The Zeitenwende will determine the future of Europe”
Whatever course Germany takes, it is of imminent importance for the future of Europe and the Franco-German axis. ‘The most important thing is actually how the conflict in Ukraine will end. This is actually even more important than exactly what Germany’s role is in this. The Zeitenwende is decisive for the future of Europe.’
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
