“Of course I would like the war to be over as soon as possible, but unfortunately we have to assume that Ukraine will still need new heavy weapons from its friends next summer,” Baerbock told the “Bild am Sonntag”. “For me it is clear: Ukraine also defends our freedom, our peace order and we support them financially and militarily – for as long as it is necessary. Point.”
Baerbock expects a war in Ukraine that will last for years: “We have to be prepared for the fact that this war could last for years. Because unfortunately the Russian government has not given up its obsession with subjugating Ukraine and its people.” According to Baerbock, the courage of the Ukrainians and the international arms deliveries meant that the Russian soldiers could not unpack their parade uniforms for victory. “We will do everything to ensure that this never becomes a reality.”
At the same time, Baerbock defended Ukraine’s claims to the reconquest of Crimea, which had been annexed by Russia: “Crimea also belongs to Ukraine. The world never recognized the illegal annexation of 2014.”
The Foreign Minister warned against talking about war fatigue in Germany given the duration of the fighting. She continues to experience an incredible amount of support for Ukraine, says Baerbock: “Of course everyone is now feeling the consequences of Putin’s energy war on their own wallets. The social division of Europe is part of Putin’s warfare. We must prevent this. It will be a rocky road, but it is part of our political responsibility to cushion the social imbalances resulting from high energy prices.”
Baerbock sharply rejected demands from Bundestag Vice President Wolfgang Kubicki (FDP) to use the Nord Stream 2 pipeline for gas deliveries: “I sometimes wonder if some have not understood that this is not a game with rules and not a sudden supply bottleneck ‘ said the Foreign Minister. “The gas pipelines from Russia are no longer ordinary pipelines, but weapons in a hybrid war. If Putin is not delivering through NordStream1, why should he deliver through NordStream2? Not enough gas flows through NordStream1 because the line is broken, but because Putin doesn’t want it.”
Are investigators allowed to search former US President Donald Trump’s private home in Florida? Under great pressure, the Ministry of Justice published a justification for the action. It is found in a document that does not reflect well on Trump.
Further criticism of the gas levy: The IG Metall trade union has called for a price cap for gas and electricity because of the sharp rise in costs. The Institute of German Economy considers improvements in the gas surcharge to be possible, but defends the additional costs in principle.
The German economy just about got the curve in the first half of 2022. Most economists are not optimistic for the second half of the year and beyond. The fact that there is a recession is almost unavoidable.
