The situation in Ukraine is catastrophic and is worsening with every hour. Ukrainian cities are under constant shelling by the Russian army, in particular also civilian targets. Following Putin’s treacherous assault on Ukraine, this war of aggression is entering its second week. We are witnesses to a historic humanitarian catastrophe that causes unspeakable human suffering every day. The Ukrainian population has the choice of leaving their home behind and fleeing, or of taking a very high risk, which they might also have to pay for with their lives, and staying. A more than dramatic decision between flight and fight. There is no doubt: the despot Putin is currently committing war crimes against and in Ukraine – before the eyes of the whole world. At present, all that remains to us is unconditional solidarity with the Ukrainian women and men. In concrete terms, in Germany this means: full backing for comprehensive arms deliveries to Ukraine, tough sanctions against those responsible in Russia and humane reception conditions for refugees from Ukraine. Politics must work on solutions as quickly as possible so that people have to stay in communal accommodation for as short a time as possible. We therefore also welcome the planned intention that refugees receive a work permit as quickly as possible.
It goes without saying that, beyond this, everything must be done to end this war as quickly as possible.
It is our duty to draw lessons from this war of aggression. The most important: no further appeasement towards despots.
Many questions arise, however, to which no one currently has an answer but which urgently need to be discussed in the near future:
- How capable of defending ourselves must we be in future as a peaceable, liberal democracy?
- How do we strengthen European and international – values-based – alliances?
- How do we as Europeans become more self-sufficient with regard to supply chains, energy and defence?
- What concrete consequences does this have for society?
- What consequences does this war have for the Eastern Europe policy of NATO and the EU?
Together we must find answers to these questions very soon.
