It is necessary to vanquish Russia.
Ex-Foreign Minister Gabriel cautions strongly against Russia's expansionist desires. President Putin has been contemplating more than just Ukraine for a long time, reveals Gabriel. "He needs to receive a definite message: Stop this war - or we'll bring it to you."
In view of the challenging atmosphere in Ukraine, former Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel advocates a bolder approach against Russia - even with German troops. "I never thought I'd have to say this: However, we'll need to checkmate Russia again as we did during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Putin must grasp our resolve," the Social Democrat declared to "Stern."
"The clear signal should be sent to Putin: Stop this war - or we'll target you. If that entails deploying German air defense systems, assisted by the Bundeswehr, to establish no-fly zones in Ukraine to shield Ukrainian cities from Russian attacks on the civilian population, I wouldn't guarantee Mr. Putin that we'd never act this way."
The Social Democrat expounded further: "No one wants to dispatch the Bundeswehr into a war. But if there's a growing risk that Ukraine will succumb, then our tranquil and serene lifestyle in Europe will be jeopardized as well." Putin is considering conflict far beyond Ukraine. "He's perpetrating a war against the West, which he views as decadent, with values he disdains, and perceives as a hazard to his rule. Consequently, we must respond to Russia with greater firmness than we've been doing thus far."
Gabriel recommends a dual strategy from the West: "Putin must be confronted with an iron hand, and at the same time, we must conceive dialogue formats and means of exiting the war." This encompasses another peace conference. "Besides the conference in Switzerland, there has to be a secondary peace conference where Russia's representatives engage. The West and Ukraine need the United States as the leading power, and the 'Russia Alliance' ought to be headed by China," asserted the former Foreign Minister. "Germany might propose this credibly. Hence, the election slogan of the Federal Chancellor for the European elections as 'Secure peace' would be reinforced by concrete action."
Following Russia's massive incursion in 2022, Gabriel expressed remorse. "It was an error not to heed the protests about Nord Stream 2 from the Eastern Europeans. That was also my mistake," Gabriel admitted to "Welt" at the time. In 2014, Russia had illegally annexed Crimea and instigated a war in eastern Ukraine.
Read also:
- The SPD, led by Sigmar Gabriel, has called for a stronger response against Russia's aggression in Ukraine, including potential deployment of German troops and establishment of no-fly zones.
- Gabriel has criticized Russia's expansionist desires and war crimes in Ukraine, stating that Putin needs to understand the West's resolve to stop the conflict.
- In the context of the Nord Stream pipeline, Gabriel admitted that not addressing Eastern European concerns about the project in 2022 was an error, following Russia's annexation of Crimea and instigation of a war in eastern Ukraine.
- Germany, under the leadership of the SPD, could propose a dual strategy towards Russia, involving a firm response to their actions and dialogue formats to exit the war, as suggested by former Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel.
