The discussion about the war in Ukraine is naturally emotionally charged. However, both sides, advocates and skeptics of arms deliveries, do themselves a disservice by being hasty in judging legitimate inquiries.
Germany will soon supply main battle tanks to Ukraine. That is a logical and correct decision. Ukraine not only defends its own freedom, but also ours. However, public opinion is not that clear. Many people worry about what the consequences of supplying main battle tanks might be. To worry is human and, given the potential for danger, more than justified.
Unfortunately, two poles have formed in the German debate about the war in Ukraine that seem increasingly irreconcilable. On the one hand, there is the side that wants to send more heavy weapons to Ukraine and demands this with such vehemence that it is amazing how self-confident it is. And then there is the side that dismisses such demands as warmongering and an expression of a personal need for recognition.
A valid question
Representing these poles within the traffic light coalition are the chairwoman of the defense committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann from the FDP, and SPD MP Ralf Stegner, who is skeptical about the arms deliveries. On Tuesday on ntv, he accused the Leopard supporters of possibly wanting to send German soldiers to Ukraine as well.
On Wednesday, I asked Strack-Zimmermann whether the delivery of Leopard main battle tanks was subject to certain conditions or whether the Ukraine could do whatever it wanted with the tanks – for example, recapture Crimea. The answer: “You are insinuating that Ukraine is up to no good.”
Allow shades of gray and questions
No, Ms. Strack-Zimmermann, I’m not accusing her of that. It is my job to ask exactly these questions and thus also to reflect the questions from the population. Your job is to give a good answer to that. The people in your constituency will thank you. Furthermore, according to a recent Forsa survey for RTL/ntv, 58 percent of Germans are of the opinion that Ukraine should not use the tanks in question to reconquer Crimea.
Anyone who tries to judge the question in this debate runs the risk of losing credibility pretty quickly – regardless of whether your name is Ralf Stegner or Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann. Both sides make a big mistake in the way they argue: they alienate people who still want to think in shades of gray or who at least have a few questions.