“In the coalition, the SPD is clearly the brakeman”

Berlin In view of Ukraine’s successes against the Russian invasion troops, the German government is still showing restraint on the issue of German arms deliveries to Kyiv. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) usually refers to international processes. However, political scientists find this to be unconvincing. They are particularly critical of the role played by the Social Democrats.

The Bremen political scientist Lothar Probst told the Handelsblatt: “In the coalition, the SPD is clearly the brakeman on arms deliveries, because parts of the parliamentary group and party are against corresponding support for Ukraine, even though the USA has given Germany the freedom to make arms deliveries.”

It is nothing new that Russian President Vladimir Putin and those around him warn against such support. But Putin “wouldn’t dare attack Germany over a few Leopard 2 arms shipments, given the military problems Russia already has in Ukraine.”