Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck paints a bleak picture of the current crisis in Russia. The minister fears a land war in Europe. In the program “Maischberger. Die Woche” he calls on Russia again for further negotiations.
In the current Russian crisis, separatists in the so-called “People’s Republics” of Russia have asked President Vladimir Putin for support. They accused Ukraine of “genocide” in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. A state of emergency has been in force in Ukraine since last night. This was decided by the Security Council in Kiev and confirmed by Parliament. The authorities can now order curfews, ban protests and ban political parties and movements.
Parliament could soon make it easier for civilians to use weapons in self-defense. The military ordered the mobilization of around 250,000 reservists. After Putin recognized the independence of the two separatist areas in eastern Ukraine and announced the deployment of Russian soldiers in the region, fears of a Russian invasion grew in Ukraine. But not only there. Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck said on Wednesday evening in the program “Maischberger. Die Woche” on ARD: “We are on the verge of a massive land war in Europe.”
“A clear aggressive situation”
Russia has nearly 150,000 soldiers stationed on the Ukrainian border. “When you start such an armament spiral, it’s difficult to get out of it,” says Habeck. Preparations for an invasion have been completed. He lacks any idea for a renewed entry into diplomatic talks.
“We have a clear situation presented by Russia that points to a war of aggression such as we have not seen in Europe for many years in this threat situation,” Habeck summarizes the current situation. Diplomatic talks have been discontinued and Russia is not answering inquiries.
“The options are reduced”
Habeck continues to refuse arms deliveries to Ukraine. The line of the federal government is not to deliver deadly weapons to crisis areas. “It’s been like this so far,” explains Habeck. The options for relief measures are “reduced,” he says. Ukraine is not a NATO member, so there can be no military support. “So economic sanctions and diplomacy remain, and we’re trying to do that by all means.” The economic sanctions have now started and more are being prepared.
Habeck is clear that the sanctions can also have a negative impact on the economy and companies in Germany. But: “In this war situation, peace has a price, and we should be prepared to pay it,” said Habeck.
“Putin wants to redraw the map of Europe”
Habeck does not know whether a possible war will affect energy prices in Germany. “I’m not sure that gas prices will go up,” he says. There are still reserves in some countries that they would pass on. And in the end, Russia has an interest in not stopping gas supplies to Europe. But it must be clear: the world will change, whether war comes or not.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz had previously warned of a war in Ukraine. Putin wants to completely redraw the map of Europe, he says to Maischberger. “We are at the beginning of a completely new political order in Europe,” said the CDU politician. In his view, Europe needs to focus more on deterrence again.
“The question of strength is important,” says Merz. The Bundeswehr is currently “in a completely desolate state.” Ammunition worth up to 10 billion euros was missing, says Merz, citing commanders of the Bundeswehr. “We urgently need to do something,” said the CDU leader. However, he doubted whether this would be possible with the current federal government.