Source: Global Times New Media
Since Russia's special military operations against Ukraine, Germany, along with the United States and European allies, has imposed new sanctions against Russia and shelved the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, according to the Russian Satellite Network. The crisis has also prompted Berlin to change its longstanding policy of not shipping lethal weapons to Kiev.
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In response, Sarah Wagenknecht, a left-wing member of the German Bundestag, said that the West's supply of a large number of weapons to Uke and the imposition of new restrictions on Russia will only prolong the current crisis, not solve the problem.
In an interview with the German newspaper Le Monde on March 14, the lawmaker said: "Ukraine is dying every day, there is endless suffering there, the country is being more and more seriously damaged, and neither sanctions nor the delivery of weapons can stop this horror." If you want to end it, you have to negotiate. ”
Commenting on the peace terms proposed by russia last week, including Ukraine's demilitarization and neutrality, Wagenknecht said those were a good starting point for negotiations.
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The mp said: "Militarily Ukraine cannot win this war. Therefore, anyone who wants the withdrawal of Russian troops must provide something to Russia. For many reasons, it is reasonable to guarantee a neutral position. What non-militarization means must be negotiated. ”
Wagenknecht added: "Russian criticism has been all about the West arming Ukraine with offensive weapons and ukraine's gradual integration into NATO. After all, there are already 2,000 troops inside Ukraine, NATO is holding exercises on its territory, and being allowed to join NATO does not help Ukraine. ”
Wagenknecht believes that the current crisis can be resolved through negotiations only if both sides are ready to "move closer" to each other and agree to compromise.
Asked to explain the German Left Party's continued refusal to support the Scholz government's policy of sending weapons to Ukraine, Wagenknecht said she believed that the weapons sent to Kiev at the moment would only "prolong the conflict, but not allow Ukraine to win." She believes that for Ukraine to win, NATO will have to implement military intervention in a way that all wise politicians have so far ruled out, which would mean a direct military confrontation with Russia and Europe could become a nuclear battlefield. It would therefore be irresponsible to take any step in that direction.
Wagenknecht concluded: "Germany's stable relations with Russia, as well as future economic and cultural cooperation, are in Germany's fundamental interests. It always makes sense to try to understand each other's motivations, although that doesn't mean you agree with them. ”