Podcast “The Situation”
Military expert Mölling calls for unlimited commitments from Europe to Ukraine
Ukrainian soldiers unload a Leopard 2 tank: “The question is, is it enough?”
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The European Union has just agreed on 50 billion euros in aid for Ukraine. Great, says expert Christian Mölling. And at the same time would like a commitment to deliver and provide everything necessary to drive out Russia’s troops
After the EU summit’s decision on new aid for Ukraine, the military expert Christian Mölling spoke out in favor of unlimited financing commitments. Mölling said on Friday in the stern podcast “The Situation – Internationally” that the EU had “put a big step on top” with the agreement for 50 billion euros. Financial planning security is very important for Ukraine. “It was not a good day for Putin,” emphasized the research director of the German Society for Foreign Policy. Nevertheless, ultimately it is not about who contributes how much. “The question is, is it enough – that’s the much more important question,” he said.
The expert recalled previous promises to do whatever it takes to achieve a goal. Specifically, he mentioned the legendary statement of the then President of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, during the financial crisis: “Whatever it takes.” Draghi promised in 2012 to do whatever was necessary to defend the euro. Mölling now brought a similar statement from the Europeans about the war in Ukraine into play.
“There is also a historical dimension”
However, the expert pointed out that, given the debt levels and economic problems, such a statement would only be credible and effective if it was made clear at the same time that the loss of wealth would also be accepted in order to fulfill it. In addition to prosperity, security is also a goal of government action – and if security is lost, prosperity will also disappear. In addition: “There is also a historical dimension,” said Mölling. “This time Germany can make a difference that does not plunge Europe into a world war, but rather protects Europe from further aggression by a dictatorial regime.” This is “of course not for free”.
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Mölling emphasized that conflicts are never only fought militarily; they always also have an economic and social dimension. In order to preserve the EU’s ability to act, he advocated a clear line towards individual states that want to thwart the decisions of the large majority. Mölling did not want to conclusively evaluate Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s appeals to his partners to do more to arm the country’s armed forces following the decisions to finance the Ukrainian state. He said: “It depends on how much you put those words into action.”