Following recent airspace incursions, German parliamentarians have voiced concern over Russia’s actions and are calling for a multi-faceted response. Members of the Left party (Die Linke) have acknowledged the NATO’s reaction to the incidents, emphasizing the need for a United Nations investigation. Ulrich Thoden, the party’s defense policy spokesperson, stated that Russia’s military escalation policy towards Estonia and Poland is unequivocally condemned, expressing concern that President Putin is escalating tensions and risking direct military confrontation with NATO.
While recognizing the appropriateness of NATO’s response to the airspace violations, Thoden stressed the importance of addressing the repeated incidents through the United Nations, arguing that Russia’s actions increasingly pose a threat to global peace. He advocated for an independent UN mechanism to thoroughly investigate the security incidents and establish accountability through a neutral body for public transparency.
The call for action echoes sentiments previously expressed by the Green party. Agnieszka Brugger, Green party defense expert and parliamentary vice chair, underscored the urgency of a firm stance backed by credible and swift actions. She suggested measures including halting Schengen visa issuance, seizing frozen Russian assets, substantially tightening sanctions across sectors like energy and fertilizers and bolstering NATO’s air defense capabilities. The overall objective being to establish clear boundaries for Russia’s actions.