Gabriel introduces German soldiers to the game.
Previously, Foreign Minister Gabriel issued a strong warning against Russia's expansionist goals. According to Gabriel, President Putin has had plans beyond Ukraine for a long time. "Putin must be given a firm statement: End this war, or we'll take it to you."
Considering Ukraine's difficult situation, former Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel suggested a tougher strategy against Russia, even involving German soldiers. "I couldn't imagine saying this: We'll need to contain Russia again like we did during the Cold War with the Soviet Union," Gabriel stated to the Star.
Gabriel continued, "Putin needs to understand how serious we are. We'll need to take measures such as setting up no-fly zones over Ukraine to shield Ukrainian cities from Russian attacks on civilians. If that entails deploying German air defense systems, supported by the Bundeswehr, I wouldn't make that same promise to Putin again."
Gabriel also emphasized that no one wants to send the Bundeswehr into combat, but if there's a significant risk Ukraine could lose, that would also jeopardize the peaceful and secure way of life in Europe. "Putin is pursuing a war against the West, a civilizational enemy he disdains and views as a threat to his power," Gabriel stated. "Hence, we must respond to Russia more forcefully than we've done so far."
Gabriel proposed a two-fold strategy: "Putin should be confronted firmly by our unshakable resolve, and at the same time, we seek dialogue avenues leading to a peaceful resolution. This includes additional peace conferences. Alongside the conference in Switzerland, there should be a second peace conference where Russia's dialogue partners gather. The West and Ukraine need the United States as our leading power, and the Russia Alliance should be guided by China," said the former Foreign Minister. "Germany could introduce this idea credibly. Then, the Federal Chancellor's election poster for the European elections, with the motto 'Secure peace,' would also be backed up by practical action."
In 2022, as the large-scale invasion began, Gabriel acknowledged errors in his Russia policy. "It was a mistake not to heed the concerns about Nord Stream 2," he admitted to the World. "In 2014, Russia illegally annexed Crimea and initiated a war in eastern Ukraine."
