“Epochal changes” in Germany not yet completed – German analyst

The “epochal changes” [or Zeitenwende, a term used by former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz when he announced an increase in defense spending in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine] in Germany are not yet completed. The country still avoids risks and adheres to considerations of the past.

This was stated in a comment to Ukrinform by Ralf Fücks, co-founder and managing director of the Center for Liberal Modernity.

He draws attention to the fact that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clearly points out the connection between Ukraine’s security and the security of Germany and Europe.

“Just some days ago, he said that Putin is probably the worst war criminal in our times. A sentence which is really astonishing for a German Chancellor when you remember also Angela Merkel, who always tried to convince Putin not to be so aggressive and to come to his senses and to engage him,” Fücks emphasized.

However, in his opinion, there is still a gap between the Chancellor’s words and his actions. Germany has indeed become Ukraine’s largest donor after the suspension of U.S. aid by the Donald Trump Administration, but it has not provided Taurus missiles or decided to use frozen Russian assets to purchase weapons and rebuild Ukraine.

“Germany still does not act as you have to act in wartime. We are sticking to considerations and rules from the past, but now we are in a totally different military and political environment in Europe. If you are confronted with a war, you have to act differently and you have to take some risks. If you are not willing to take some risk, you will lose. The Ukrainians know that very well. So it's still about a change of mindset, which is not completed. The Zeitenwende, the famous phrase of Olaf Scholz, is not completed,” the analyst stated.

As reported by Ukrinform, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Federal Republic of Germany Oleksii Makeiev previously noted that Germany is already the biggest supporter and donor of Ukraine in Europe, but it can do even more by taking on greater leadership and responsibility.

Photo: Begzada Kilian/RBB