On last Friday, another contact group on the defence of Ukraine was held at Ramstein Base in Germany. This event was widely discussed in German media, especially in the context of difficulties in cooperation between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenski. The decisions of the German Government concerning the supply of arms to Ukraine have been positively assessed, but critical voices besides appear on the effectiveness of these actions and the expanding fatigue in the German public.
Germany increases military support, but that's not enough
Commentators of the 2 largest German opinion-making newspapers, Sueddeutsche Zeitung (‘SZ’) and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (‘FAZ’), highlighted the expanding tensions between Scholz and Zelenski, as well as the expanding interior pressures associated with German public opinion and political situation.
Daniel Broessler of Sueddeutsche Zeitung stressed that Germany had undertaken to deliver Ukraine self-propelled anti-tank Haubices and tanks, which it considers a affirmative step. However, he noted that the German government showed signs of fatigue erstwhile it came to further assistance to Ukraine. "Germany will deliver self-propelled armored barrels and tanks to the affected country. Good. Despite this, the German government shows fatigue of aid for Ukraine" wrote Broessler.
He called relations between Scholz and Zelenski "a hard partnership". Scholz, known for his cautious approach to global action, tries to avoid excessive commitments on the 1 hand, while Zelenski tries to win the top support, in the face of an increasingly dramatic military situation in Ukraine.
Fatigue of German public opinion
Broessler pointed out the crucial problem of the fatigue of the German public opinion in the war in Ukraine. In Germany, political movements specified as AfD and Sara Wagenknecht's organization are becoming stronger and they request the completion of arms supplies to Ukraine. In lands specified as Saxony and Thuringia, the slogan “peace” becomes synonymous with the desire to decision distant from conflict and defend interior interests. "Germany fights against illegal migration and is under force from right-wing AfD and far-left BSW, Sara Wagenknecht party," Broessler noted.
Faced with increasing political pressure, Scholz must balance between continuing support for Ukraine and maintaining support in the country. The allocation of EUR 3 billion little to aid Ukraine in the budget for 2025 than this year is simply a clear signal that this aid will not proceed indefinitely.
‘FAZ’: The needs of Ukraine are different
Peter Sturm, a commentator on "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung", besides stressed the importance of military support for Ukraine, but noted that the handovers of the haubice would not decide the destiny of the war. "Germany will deliver Ukraine 12 anti-tank Haubics. That's great. But this is not what Kiev needs most," he said.
Sturm pointed out the key importance of anti-aircraft defence, whose supplies are inactive limited. He pointed out that in order for Ukraine to be able to effectively defend itself against Russian attacks, it needed a weapon capable of hitting Russia. "The top threat is coming from the air, which is why anti-aircraft defence is the most important," Sturm wrote.
Russia, China and strategy Competition
In addition to the arms supply problems, Sturm besides addressed the geopolitical challenges facing the West. NATO's Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, urged China to halt supporting Russia, as Sturm referred to as "a wishful thought". According to him, China is curious in competing with the West and have no reason to change its policies. "Such demands make no sense," added the commentator.
Summary
The Ramstein gathering showed that although Germany continues to support Ukraine militarily, there are major challenges to further cooperation. The relations between Scholz and Zelenski are becoming increasingly tense, and the fatigue of the German public's war in Ukraine makes Scholz face increasing political pressure. Asking for further arms supply and real aid Ukraine is becoming increasingly burning and the answers to them can find the future of Europe's conflict and stability.
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