Russia and Ukraine flashpoint

[RolStoppable]

RolStoppable said:

This week Germany's social democrats (SPD) have been raising the possibility of freezing the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. What followed the heavy criticism of the party consisted of super lame excuses, just as you'd expect when someone is saying something so incredibly stupid in the first place. What took the cake was the statement by Esken (SPD chairwoman or whatever her title would be in English), because in an attempt at damage control she said that she wants to make it absolutely clear that everyone's stance in the SPD is unlimited/unconditional support for Ukraine. She really said this when she should know that the SPD has tried to block new types of equipment for Ukraine at every step along the way, and when she should know that everyone else knows this too.

I guess the SPD was testing the waters, similar to how Macron has recently pushed in a new direction by not ruling out NATO ground forces in Ukraine; the obvious difference being that Macron acted in a pro-Europe manner while the SPD is moving in a pro-Russia direction.

(...)

A short update on this story:

On Sunday, SPD's co-chairman (Klingbeil) defended the guy (Mützenich) who raised the possibility of freezing the conflict. Today Pistorius, Germany's minister of defence (also SPD), distanced himself from Mützenich. At least one important SPD figure chose to be on the correct side. Not that this changes anything about Taurus where Pistorius echoes Scholz, but hey, baby steps.

Also, former SPD chancellor Schröder (in charge of Germany from 1998 until 2005 or so) has welcomed Mützenich's suggestion. But this guy has pursued money and happens to be on Putin's side since a long time, so his words hold no value anymore. Except that you absolutely do not want to receive agreement from him when it comes to foreign politics concerning Russia.

As a sidenote, Scholz has visited Israel this past weekend and performed spectacularly in his usual manner of quiet words that every authoritarian leader finds easy to shrug off, even if Scholz stands right next to him. Germany in political terms garners about as much respect on the world stage as their football national team right now.