Hofreiter and Wissler at ntv
Are arms deliveries wrong or right?
02/24/2023 10:43 am
Even after a year of war in Ukraine, there is no solution in sight. Green politician Hofreiter sees ntv’s “early start” in further arms deliveries as a condition for peace. Left leader Wissler warns of an even bigger conflict.
On the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Anton Hofreiter, chairman of the Bundestag’s Europe Committee, accused opponents of arms deliveries of encouraging Putin to continue. The Russian President thinks he has the staying power – especially because of the critical voices from the West. As long as he believes that, he will not negotiate, said the Green politician on ntv’s “early start”. “We have to make that clear to him: You won’t win this war in the end, Putin. We will support Ukraine until you win it.” Putin will only negotiate if it is more worthwhile for him than continuing the attacks.
Hofreiter accused the Left Party of misjudging reality with its call for negotiations. There is talk all the time, for example between Putin and Chancellor Olaf Scholz or French President Emmanuel Macron, said the Green politician. Anyone who also calls for the end of arms deliveries to Ukraine is effectively ending their solidarity. If the left’s plan were implemented, the war might end quickly – but at the cost of destroying Ukraine.
Left leader Janine Wissler defended her party’s position in the “early start”. “Critical voices against arms deliveries don’t mean denying Ukraine solidarity,” said Wissler. “And standing up for diplomacy is not taking sides with Putin.” One must build on diplomatic successes such as the grain agreement or prisoner exchanges. For example, one could first talk about protection zones around nuclear power plants, hospitals or schools. “Ninety percent of the time we discuss arms deliveries and not at all the other issues.” According to Wissler, if more and more and heavier weapons are supplied, that does not bring peace any closer. Instead, merely a “balance of terror” would be maintained. The Left Chairwoman warned of the potential for the war to escalate, which could eventually lead to a direct conflict between NATO and Russia.
Wissler was cautiously positive about the Chinese position paper on solving the Ukraine war. “It’s certainly not a breakthrough yet, but I welcome any initiative for peace negotiations, for diplomatic efforts.” The plan is not yet very concrete, but China’s attempt is “certainly correct”. Wissler now called for an initiative from Europe. “I also think that the European Union and the federal government must now put pressure on a diplomatic solution to this conflict.”
Hofreiter reacted more skeptically to the Chinese advance. It is good if China tries to find a solution. “It would be even better if you had the confidence that it was making a serious effort.” He recalled Beijing’s abstention in the UN vote condemning Russia’s war of aggression. There is also concern that China is even beginning to supply arms to the aggressor Russia.