The German government has decided to proceed military support of Ukraine, but specified provisions are becoming increasingly difficult, according to the German press.
The president of Ukraine attended a gathering of the Contact Group on Defence of Ukraine at Ramstein Base in Germany and met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on this occasion. Comments on this subject were published on Saturday in the 2 largest German opinion-making newspapers, Sueddeutsche Zeitung (‘SZ’) and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (‘FAZ’).
"Germany will deliver self-propelled armored barrels and tanks to the affected country. Good. Despite this, the German government shows fatigue of aid (for Ukraine)” writes Daniel Broessler in “Sueddeutsche Zeitung”.
The relations between Chancellor Scholz and president Zelenski were referred to as "a hard partnership". On 1 side stands the Chancellor, who late during his gathering with the citizens boasted of his caution, and on the another side – the President, who bears work with an increasingly desperate defensive fight against Russia. The answer to the question of what else he can anticipate from Scholz is crucial for Zelenski – we read in “SZ”.
In Broessler's opinion, Ukrainian suffering is of small importance to German public opinion. Germany fights against illegal migration and is under force from the election successes of the right-wing AfD and (at the utmost left) BSW, the Sara Wagenknecht party, in Saxony and Thuringia. In these lands, it is evident that the request to halt arms supplies to Ukraine has become a "majority opinion". The slogan “peace” symbolizes the desire to “leave us alone”.
In this situation it is hard to find compassion for Ukrainians – writes the commentator. In his opinion, there are signals that must “warm” Zelenski.
"The Scholz government shows signs of fatigue, including on assistance to Ukraine", Broessler said.
The author pointed out that the budget for 2025 allocated more than EUR 3 billion little to Ukraine than this year. Scholz points to a $50 billion debt from Western countries, but "it is not buttoned." “Zelenski has no choice but to bet on the German Chancellor. This means that Scholz can't leave Zelenski in need," we read in “SZ”.
It is doubtful whether another whaubice and tanks will let Ukraine to improve its military position. And it is essential to negociate with Russia. “Putin will not talk until he sees his army making progress, he will not talk,” writes Broessler.
With respect to the AfD and BSW's demands, which request immediate negotiations and the cessation of arms supply, Broessler writes that both parties should explain to their voters that their slogans conflict with their agenda against immigrants. "Russian offensive will origin a immense wave of refugees, which will have disastrous consequences for Germany. Leaving Ukraine without aid would not only be treason but besides self-deception," he warned in Broessler's conclusions.
"Germany will deliver Ukraine 12 anti-tank Haubics. That's great. But this is not what Kiev needs most," writes Peter Sturm in the online edition of "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung".
The commentator states that Western governments do not gotta comply with all desire of president Zelenski due to the fact that they are not a service agency of the Ukrainian government. However, if they acted wisely, they would easy realize that the military reinforcement of Ukraine is in their own interest.
According to the author, many of the decisions taken at the gathering in Ramstein service only “to make a good impression”. As a rule, these decisions are positive, as in the case of the announcement by the German defence minister of the transfer of 12 anti-tank haubics. The Ukrainians will welcome it. However, this weapon will surely not decide the destiny of the war.
"The biggest threat is coming from the air, which is why anti-aircraft defence is the most important. However, it is not adequate if Russia does not gotta fear that its airports and rocket launchers base located deep in the territory can get under Ukrainian fire," Sturm writes. The weapon needed for this is inactive not delivered or is delivered in a minimum amount, criticised by the "FAZ" commentator.
Some of Ramstein's political statements are part of the "wish thinking". NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called on China to halt supporting Russia, but did not say why China should do so? China participates in the competition of systems against the West and helps anyone who harms the West. "Such demands make no sense. China needs to be made aware that it is not in their interest to have a complete quarrel with the West," concluded Sturm.
Source: PAP 
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