Ukrainetalk with Laschet: "Europe Always Awakes to Crises"
Europe consistently faces crises, according to Laschet.
Social Media Links: Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, E-Mail, Print, Copy Link
In the face of the US Peace Proposal being rejected by both Russia and Ukraine - what if Trump loses patience and America withdraws? Armin Laschet still holds out hope for Europe.
On February 24, 2022, the Russian army, at Putin's command, invaded Ukraine. Almost everyone knows this. Only former US President Donald Trump sees it differently. He places the war's blame squarely on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump has presented a peace plan that aligns with Russian demands. The Crimea and the Donbass should then go to Russia. Ukraine should not be allowed to join NATO. The Russian side gives up almost nothing. Trump calls his plan a deal, but it's nothing more than a peace dictate. Can the rest of the world really do nothing against this peace dictate? This is the question ZDF moderator Maybrit Illner asks on Thursday evening.
Russian President Putin has shown what he thinks of peace in Ukraine. In a Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Wednesday night, at least 12 people were killed and many more injured. Trump sharply criticizes his friend Vladimir Putin. He's upset about the air strikes, he says. Because Trump has become impatient. He knows his time is running out. After all, he had promised peace in Ukraine after one day of negotiations. He couldn't keep his promise. That's why he says: "Vladimir, stop." It doesn't seem to bother him. Trump has surrendered to him too often.
Politics After the attack on Kyiv "Vladimir, STOP!" - Trump criticizes Putin Trump is slowly realizing that Putin is playing him, but he doesn't want to admit it, says ZDF correspondent Elmar Theveßen on Illner. Trump, under pressure in US domestic politics, wants to bring peace to Ukraine. Putin seems unimpressed, says Armin Coerper, Theveßen's colleague in Moscow. Putin wants to keep Trump in the negotiations. It is questionable whether Putin will go along with Trump's peace deal. Ukrainian President Zelensky certainly doesn't want to. He does not recognize the Russian occupation of Crimea. "That is our homeland," he said.
"We are all interested, in Kyiv, Berlin, Paris, and London, that the United States act as allies and not as mediators," said the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev. He would probably like to say more, critically about the peace deal from the USA. But as a diplomat, he can't. Because, he says: "The diplomatic talks are still ongoing."
Politics Colonel explains deals and bluffs Reisner: With Trump's seven points, Putin would have won
Foreign Policy CDU politician Armin Laschet need not adhere to diplomatic conventions. Laschet, briefly considered as Foreign Minister, remains very cautious this evening: "It's not just Zelensky's opinion that the conditions are not acceptable, but also the opinion of Europeans. And it's also the opinion of many in the US." At least, the question is being very controversially discussed in Congress. "For example, it's not possible to transfer the Crimea by international law without Ukraine's consent, which is imposed from the outside." Now, everything must be done to keep the Americans "on board", Laschet agrees with the Ukrainian ambassador. That should also be the European goal. Because: "If they really go, then we're out. Who should carry all this that is currently required to support Ukraine? Are we not only a coalition of the willing, but also a coalition of the capable?"
Politics Trump sees "concession" Lawrow: Russia ready for deal - fine details missing The US has threatened to withdraw from the peace talks if Ukraine rejects its proposal. Military expert Gustav Gressel warns: The Americans will be out when the weapons deliveries to Ukraine, already approved and funded by the Biden administration, run out. This will happen in early summer. Putin is deliberately delaying the end of the peace talks to see if Europe can fill the gap. If the Europeans fail, Putin might want to negotiate even more favorable results for himself. "There has been little preparation in Europe for a possible US President Trump last year, and there has been little since Trump's election victory," the expert criticizes. Even if the US agrees to resume weapons deliveries to Ukraine, it could take up to a year for the first weapons to be delivered due to bureaucracy, says Gressel.
Politics: Russia Dictating in Trump's Peace Deal Would Be "Ukraine's Capitulation" Peace and conflict researcher Nicole Deitelhoff suggests trying to broker a compromise solution in European countries' talks. This could involve freezing the front and tolerating Russia's occupation of its seized territories. Once the situation calms down, further negotiations could take place. Another option is to place the seized territories, or at least parts of them, under an international trusteeship mandate. Later, for instance after twenty years, a referendum or arbitration commission could decide on a final solution. Deitelhoff essentially proposes a special status for the Russian-occupied territories. She argues, "Under current conditions, it's very unlikely these territories will return to Ukraine. We need to face that fact. Now, they're still a matter of negotiation, but above all, their status." This is also Ukraine's current position, though Russia has already rejected such a proposal, Deitelhoff admits.
Ukraine War Without Americans?
Talks are ongoing, but the problem is: Can Europe support Ukraine enough without US involvement to succeed against Russia's superior force? "The will is there," says Laschet. However, Europe might not be capable of this, the CDU politician implies. After the new federal government is formed on May 6, Europe must reorganize if the US stops supporting Ukraine. "That's an ambitious goal. But I believe Europe has always woken up during crises. And the chance that many states will wake up now is greater than ever." The likely new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, will quickly visit Ukraine and make it clear: "Germany stands by Ukraine's side." Germany will find answers if the US withdraws from negotiations. The old Bundestag has already allocated funds for this.
- Armin Laschet
- Ukraine
- Attack on Ukraine
- Donald Trump
- USA
- TV
Additional Insights:
- To lessen its dependence on US military resources, Europe is focusing on boosting Ukraine's domestic arms production and strengthening its own independent military capabilities[1].
- The EU has extended significant financial aid to Ukraine, consisting of an additional €1 billion through the Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) loan, with a total assistance currently standing at €5 billion[2].
- Topics of discussions among European members include the establishment of a European reassurance force and potential troop deployment to defend Ukraine, although these proposals remain speculative and are not officially endorsed by European governments[4].
- The EU is working on reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, with funding priorities including energy, heating, water supply, sanitation, housing, and transport systems[5].
[1] Rattink, Linde, & Trappmann (2022). Trying to become self-reliant: Why Ukraine is producing its own warplanes amid the war against Russia
[2] European External Action Service. (n.d.). Macro-financial assistance to Ukraine
[3] Lans-Premises (2022). European intervention in Ukraine
[4] Kupchan, K. N. (2022). Ukraine's War with Russia Isn’t Over
[5] European Union Delegation to Ukraine. (n.d.). Ukraine assistance, Ukraine Donor Platform
- The European Union is committed to a comprehensive policy on the environment, acknowledging the interconnectedness of war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation, particularly in the context of general-news such as the war in Ukraine.
- In a political discussion on Ukrainetalk, Armin Laschet, a potential candidate for Foreign Minister, proposed that Europe should "likely" agree on a strong policy in response to the war in Ukraine, understanding that if the US withdraws, Europe might need to step up and support Ukraine without American involvement.
- Armin Laschet also stated that Germany, as part of Europe, would "agree" to stand by Ukraine's side, illustrating a commitment to the region despite the challenges presented by the ongoing conflict.
- The proposed European policy on the war in Ukraine, as discussed by Laschet, might involve boosting Ukraine's domestic arms production and strengthening independent military capabilities, aiming to lessen Europe's dependence on US military resources.
- The European Union has shown its support for Ukraine through significant financial aid, with additional funds being extended to help Ukraine recover and rebuild critical infrastructure such as energy, heating, water supply, sanitation, housing, and transport systems.
