CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen views Russian President Vladimir Putin as being under increasing pressure. Speaking to the Funke media group, the former vice chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group suggested that the scale reduction of the traditional military parade planned for May 9th is “an unmistakable sign that Putin is increasingly under strain”. According to Röttgen, anti-war sentiment regarding the conflict in Ukraine is growing within Russia, and the national economy is facing difficulties.
He emphasized that Ukraine is consistently succeeding in shifting the combat action onto Russian territory. Since Ukrainian drones now fly as far as Moscow and could cause significant damage there, public appearances by Russian officials are considered increasingly dangerous. Historically, Moscow celebrates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany on May 9th with a large military parade on Red Square.
Röttgen stated that he sees Ukraine gaining a strategic advantage in its defense against the Russian army. He argued that under the pressure of the war, Kyiv has developed its industrial and technological capabilities in “an impressive manner”. This progression allows Ukraine to partially compensate for personnel shortages and deal massive losses to Russian forces. Furthermore, Ukraine now possesses weaponry with greater range, which has significantly reduced Russia’s oil output.
While Röttgen acknowledges that Ukraine still requires assistance from Germany, he also stressed that Kyiv is increasingly contributing to European security with its own substantial military capabilities. He concluded by noting a shift in the relationship between Germany and Ukraine: “We are now learning from Ukraine and cooperating with them industrially. It is no longer a one-sided relationship where we are only giving and the Ukraine only taking”.