A German parliamentarian, Anton Hofreiter, the chairman of the European Affairs Committee, has expressed concerns about the potential for a larger war in Europe due to the recent shift in the US government’s foreign policy. In an interview with RTL and ntv, Hofreiter warned that if Ukraine is forced to surrender under pressure from Russia and the US, it is only a matter of time before the Russian army attacks the next European country.
Germany, he emphasized, must immediately increase its defense spending and support for Ukraine. “It’s about preserving our peace and preventing Ukraine’s capitulation” Hofreiter said. He also warned that if the current situation continues, the Russian army may soon threaten Germany as well.
Hofreiter called for the debt brake to be suspended immediately, stating that Germany must start taking responsibility for its own security and peace and that this would require a significant investment of many billions of euros. He described the current situation as a state of emergency, not seen since the end of World War II.
In his opinion, a European defense fund of 500 billion euros and rapid aid of 100 billion euros for Ukraine would be necessary to help Ukraine win the war without US support. “If we make the right decision and provide a rapid package of weapons to Ukraine, it is possible” he said, adding that the Russian army is weaker than often believed and that its apparent strength is due to Germany’s weakness and indecision.
Hofreiter also demanded an apology from Chancellor Scholz and the Left Party for their Ukraine policy, which he believes has contributed to the current high level of threat to peace in Germany.