Western freedom in danger
Former German ambassador: Putin wants to force us into dependence
December 30, 2023, 7:29 p.m
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Germany’s former top diplomat in Moscow, Rüdiger von Fritsch, fears that Putin will continue his violent policy if Russia wins in Ukraine. The ex-ambassador warns that the Kremlin leader is targeting the self-determination of the West. Kiev therefore needs more support.
The former German ambassador to Russia, Rüdiger von Fritsch, urgently warns of far-reaching consequences in the event of a Russian success in Ukraine. “It would pave the way for a continuation of Vladimir Putin’s neo-imperialist violent policy,” Fritsch told the “Augsburger Allgemeine.” A Russian victory would “not only be the end of a free, independent Ukraine,” but Putin’s overall goal was self-determination and freedom for the West.
It is therefore fundamental that Ukraine is placed in a position of strength before peace negotiations take place, demanded Fritsch. Putin’s goal is not only to force Ukraine, but also “us, into dependence.” However, this does not preclude preparing a peace process that emphasizes mutual security guarantees, as in the 1970s and 80s, the diplomat said.
In this context, the former head of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, calls for greater support for Kiev and criticizes the passive attitude of the Western allies. The message to Russian President Vladimir Putin should be that in the event of further attacks against civilian Ukrainian targets, Taurus cruise missiles would be delivered to Ukraine “the next day,” Ischinger suggested in the online service X. The security expert demanded that the West must switch from “passive to active”.
FDP defense politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann also called for more military aid for Ukraine. “Support remains on the agenda and this also includes the delivery of the Taurus cruise missiles,” she demanded in the newspapers of the Funke media group. “Not continuing to support Ukraine with everything we can do is negligent,” warned Strack-Zimmermann. However, other European countries would also have to take part.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far refused to deliver Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. Taurus has a range of more than 500 kilometers and would make it easier for Kiev to attack weapons depots and supply lines on Russian territory.