German Greens Leader Criticizes SPD Politicians’ Call for Shift in Foreign Policy and Diplomacy with Russia
German Greens leader Franziska Brantner has criticized prominent SPD politicians for their recent call to abandon the country’s military build-up and engage in direct diplomatic talks with Russia. “It’s highly irritating that leading SPD politicians are calling for a U-turn in foreign policy and in their approach to Russia” she said in an interview with the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”.
Brantner emphasized that no one longs for peace more than the Ukrainians and that the so-called “Manifest” fails to acknowledge the numerous diplomatic initiatives for peace with Russia that have been ongoing for years. She pointed out that the recent talks initiated by the US in Riyadh and Istanbul are just the latest examples. “Putin’s response to these efforts has always been more violence” she said.
The Greens leader added that in these times, a policy of peace means standing in solidarity with the victims, not the aggressors. “Common security means showing solidarity with our partners in the East and the Baltic and being concerned about the further escalation of violence” she said.
Brantner also stressed that even if it is not a popular idea, a policy of peace and security means investing in one’s own military capabilities. “Only if one can credibly defend oneself, does one have any real diplomatic leeway” she said. The Greens leader once again highlighted the difference within the SPD on this central issue, saying, “It’s a question of which of the two parties will be in power.