No understanding of the Pope’s recent statements, evasive answers on the subject of “Taurus”: Foreign Minister Baerbock has Caren Miosga took a stand on the Ukraine war. It was also about Russian propaganda.
On the ARD talk show Caren Miosga Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized the Pope’s recent statements that Ukraine should show the “courage to raise the white flag” and save itself from suicide by agreeing to peace negotiations. “I don’t understand it in these times,” said Baerbock. Perhaps we should go to Ukraine with those who are making demands for peace talks, said the Foreign Minister.
“Where is the Pope?”
“I think you can only understand some things if you see them yourself,” the Green politician continued. When she talks to children in Ukraine who are affected by the war, 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 we see every day that even worse things are being thought up.”
Addressing those who called for an end to German arms deliveries, the Foreign Minister declared: “If we don’t show strength now, then there will be no peace.” That’s why determination must be shown – including with arms deliveries. “We must stand by Ukraine and do everything we can to ensure that it can defend itself.”
“Taurus” delivery cannot be completely ruled out
Baerbock was ambivalent about the deliveries of “Taurus” cruise missiles. When asked about Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s decision to reject deliveries, she answered evasively: “We’ll talk about that together, but confidentially.” The Foreign Minister does not want to definitely rule out a delivery.
The Bundestag is expected to vote on “Taurus” deliveries again on Thursday. The Union faction had submitted a corresponding application. It is expected that some MPs from the traffic light parties will also agree to the proposal. British Foreign Minister David Cameron also mentioned a ring exchange in the Süddeutsche Zeitung. Baerbock called this “an option”.
The conversation of Bundeswehr officers intercepted by Russia was also a topic in the program. Baerbock said: “We have to invest in our cybersecurity.” Other countries are now further along. The Baltic states had warned about President Vladimir Putin and Russian cyber attacks, said Baerbock. Recently, a recording of a wiretapped message from 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 Caren Miosga said Baerbock that she too had already become a target of Russian propaganda. Her grandfather’s Wehrmacht past was discussed by the Kremlin-loyal broadcaster Russia Today. “You can see that this is a strategy of attrition.” Putin knows that before elections it’s about mood. “With this fake news and all the methods you can influence moods to the maximum.” Presidential elections are coming up in Russia next week.
Disunity benefits the Kremlin
In the subsequent panel discussion, Finnish political scientist Minna Åland did not share the fear that the delivery of “Taurus” cruise missiles could make Germany a participant in the war: “We joined NATO and no third world war has broken out,” she said with a view to their country’s recent entry into the defense alliance. At the beginning of the Ukraine invasion, Putin warned that Finland and Sweden joining the military alliance would have consequences.
The contradictory German diplomacy, especially when it comes to arms deliveries, is very well received in Moscow, according to journalist Michael Thumann, who reports from the Russian capital for the weekly newspaper Zeit. Russian propaganda is using the disagreement between the Foreign Minister and the Chancellor as well as between the European countries to drive a wedge between the alliance partners.
Political scientist Åland perceives Germany and France as being at odds. There is no leadership in the current crisis. Donald Trump’s threat to leave the European allies on their own after another election as US President is frightening, said the political scientist. In Finland the feeling arises: “Maybe we’ll be alone again in the end.”
Baerbock acknowledged problems in cooperation between the Western partners: “We have to work on this unity every month,” she demanded, with a view to German-French relations and the EU’s common policy on foreign and security issues.