The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the German Bundestag, Armin Laschet, has voiced approval of recent discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. “It’s positive that diplomacy has gained momentum” Laschet stated in an interview with the “Tagesspiegel” newspaper.
He expressed concern over what he described as one-sided skepticism and criticism emanating from European quarters regarding the meeting. “In the past, we would typically welcome signs of easing tensions when the Russian and American presidents reached understandings. This meeting represents that” the CDU politician said. He countered assertions that the meeting would rehabilitate Putin’s standing on the world stage, pointing to Russia’s consistent cultivation of stable relationships with numerous countries over recent years. “Putin and Lavrov have been present everywhere, except in Europe.
Laschet also delivered criticism of European policy towards Ukraine in recent years. “Europe has devoted much rhetoric, but little substance” he stated. He suggested that European nations bear responsibility for their exclusion from direct negotiations. During the term of US President Joe Biden, he asserted, the focus has been almost exclusively on military solutions. “It is somewhat unusual that Europeans are now complaining about not being at the table when they were never willing to engage in conversations beforehand” Laschet remarked.
Acknowledging the potential for difficult compromises, Laschet conceded that Ukraine may ultimately be required to cede territory. “Everyone understands that discussions will eventually cover the occupied territories, but nobody dares to articulate that” he observed. He stressed, however, that formal legal recognition of any annexation is unacceptable. “Otherwise, the war would have been worth it from Russia’s perspective-and that is not acceptable”.