- Ramelow calls for non-aggression pact with Russia
Thuringia's Minister-President Bodo Ramelow calls for a mid-term European peace order that includes Russia. "All participating states must sign a non-aggression pact and form a defense community focused on resolving conflicts on the European continent," said the Left Party politician to the Funke media group's newspapers.
Ramelow acknowledged that such a step is currently unthinkable. "Of course, that's not possible with a dictatorship, a repression apparatus, and (President Vladimir) Putin is also not a representative of freedom and peace. But we must keep the country in mind - and support those who want change in Russia." The war against Ukraine and the massive repression in his own country could unleash forces in Russian society. "We should trust in that."
Ramelow assured that he is not against NATO, but for a reorganization of European defense. "Germany needs a defense army that deserves its name. Therefore, I am firmly in favor of equipping the Bundeswehr well. But we must finally think of Europe as a whole, and Russia is part of that."
Warning of "smoldering conflicts that Putin can ignite at any time"
The Minister-President emphasized the risks of the current situation. Moldova and Georgia should be taken into the EU, despite unresolved territorial conflicts in both countries. "In the Moldovan region of Transnistria, all the weapons that the Soviet army possessed in the GDR are stored. That's smoldering conflicts that Putin can ignite at any time," Ramelow warned.
He also pointed to the NATO brigade led by Germany, which is to be permanently stationed in Lithuania. "And in the Duma in Russia, there is a request to abolish Lithuania's sovereignty. If that is dealt with, it can go very quickly, and we are in the middle of a war."
In Thuringia, a new state parliament will be elected on September 1. In polls, the AfD is currently ahead of the CDU and also ahead of the parties of the red-red-green minority government. The AfD, like the Alliance for Progress (BSW) led by Sahra Wagenknecht, strictly opposes arms deliveries to Ukraine and calls for negotiations with Russia.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has led to significant concerns, with Ramelow warning about smoldering conflicts that Putin could ignite at any time. Ramelow advocates for a mid-term European peace order that includes Russia, urging participating states to sign a non-aggression pact and form a defense community focused on resolving conflicts on the European continent.
