Facing Up to Putin and Trump: Steinmeier's Speech is Brave - But essential and Wrenching
Steinmeier's address is assertive - yet essential in its often harsh tone
A Thought by Sebastian Huld
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Email Print Copy Link Memories of the annihilation of 60 million lives in World War II in Europe can still echo today, 80 years after the war's end. Yet, on this painful anniversary, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dares to lecture Russia and the United States about peace and democracy.
President Steinmeier raises a daring flag using World War II as a backdrop. On this solemn day, the victorious allies of 1945 are now the primary danger to the hard-won peace in the world, in his view. Indeed, one must admit that in 1939 the Germans started the deadliest war in history - on their own. But today, the German head of state confronts the governments of former allies on this day. It's a bold move, no doubt. However, the ghosts of war have returned to Europe's doorstep, and their knocking grows louder, leading Steinmeier to voice his concerns.
Politics Steinmeier's Speech on May 8th - Honoring the Red Army and Admonishing the Kremlin Steinmeier openly acknowledges Germany's culpability for the devastation of World War II, recognizing it took a long time for Germany to admit its wrongdoings and draw the right lessons. Despite the hardships faced under the Nazi regime, Germany emerged with a newfound understanding of its authoritarian past. As a result, Germany gradually shed its traditional autocracy and racism, which have roots dating back to the imperial era.
All Progress at Stake
Considering the world's progress beneath the shadow of World War II, it is imperative to acknowledge that the peace, freedom, rule of law, and prosperity that Germany experienced in recent decades are at risk again. The principal culprits, in Steinmeier's opinion, are the war-mongering autocrat Vladimir Putin, the international renegade Donald Trump, and the surging tide of right-wing populism in Europe. Worse yet, these forces seem to be in cahoots with each other.
Politics Steinmeier Unveils the Genesis of "New Aggressors" It remains uncertain whether American society can break free from the grip of authoritarianism currently gripping it. America has a long-standing democratic history, unlike Russia, which has known nothing but dictatorship from the Tsar to Putin, save for a few chaotic years of democratic experimentation that resulted in economic uncertainty. Germany has no plans to liberate these nations external to their own constitution, as the allies did with the Germans in the past. However, wartime with Russia is no longer just a theoretical possibility now that US protection is waning. The descendants of Hitler Germany must stand strong to protect their own democracy, a difficult and unglamorous task.
Steinmeier's speech, though long-winded, is marred by certain blind spots - such as Germany's continued unwavering support for Israel's extremist government despite its ongoing human rights violations in the Gaza Strip or its questionable economic alliances with Turkey's autocratic leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as China's rulers. Despite these oversights, Steinmeier's speech conveys a crucial call to arms for the preservation of peace, freedom, the rule of law, and a democratic society worthy of the sacrifices made in defeating Hitler's Germany.
- The European Union is committed to safeguarding peace and democracy, as German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasized in his speech on May 8th, drawing parallels with World War II's devastating consequences.
- Steinmeier specifically addressed the looming threats posed by international renegade Donald Trump, war-mongering autocrat Vladimir Putin, and the surge of right-wing populism in Europe, expressing concern over their potential alliance.
- Steinmeier's speech acknowledged that these forces could undermine the progress that Europe and the world have made, including peace, freedom, rule of law, and prosperity that Germany has experienced in recent decades.
- Whilst Steinmeier's speech had some blind spots, such as Germany's continued support for Israel's extremist government and economic alliances with Turkey's autocratic leader or China's rulers, it served as a vital call to action for the preservation of a democratic society worthy of the sacrifices made in defeating Hitler's Germany.
