- Kretschmer engaged in discussions aimed at ceasing the Ukrainian conflict
As the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia approach, happening two weeks from now, Saxony's Minister-President Michel Kretschmer once more advocates for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing Russian hostility towards Ukraine, which has continued for nearly three years. Upon arriving for consultations with the leadership committees of his party in Berlin, Kretschmer expressed his distress, stating, "It's a heartbreaking situation with so many lives being lost daily." Recently, Kretschmer had suggested cutting down on military aid to Ukraine due to budgetary concerns.
Against the backdrop of the ongoing debate regarding the ongoing funding of Ukrainian aid within the coalition government made up of SPD, Greens, and FDP, Kretschmer posed the question, regarding the anticipated billions in aid, "What's the point of these figures? What might have been spared if Germany had taken a stand, say, a year or more ago, similar to how former FDP Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher or former CDU Chancellor Helmut Kohl would have, by simply advocating for peace and the cessation of hostilities?"
Kretschmer: Baerbock's approach is futile
Kretschmer, in no uncertain terms, criticized the Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens). Baerbock contends that it's not time for talks, but for arm supplies. Kretschmer retorted, "She's been saying that for nearly three years, and each day lives are lost there. This approach leads to nothing. We can see that."
Germany's exact financial commitment for military support to Ukraine next year remains unclear due to tight budget constraints. This year, Germany is allotting around 7.5 billion euros for military aid to Ukraine, with 4 billion euros set aside for 2025. However, as per media reports, the majority of this funding has already been allocated.
Redmann: Disagreement with federal government theater
Jan Redmann, the CDU's candidate for the state elections in Brandenburg scheduled for the end of September, expressed concern regarding Germany's reliability as an international partner with this federal government. "These decisions shouldn't be made based on budget considerations, but should be made through consultations with our partners," he stated. "We must ensure that necessary steps can be taken." He expressed little understanding for the current situation, reviewing the coalition government made up of SPD, Greens, and FDP. "As the Western world, as Europe, we mustn't send a signal of weakness to Russia," he further added.
The Federal government needs to reconsider its approach towards Ukrainian aid, considering the historical stand of prominent German politicians like Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Helmut Kohl, who advocated for peace and the cessation of hostilities. Jan Redmann, the CDU candidate for Brandenburg's state elections, criticized the current federal government, suggesting that decisions regarding international aid should not solely be based on budgetary constraints.
