German writer Stefan Kreuzberger revealed that Germany proved that it benefited from the lessons of history when it decided to provide Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, in a move that was considered a qualitative change in German foreign policy that has always focused on maintaining the relationship with the Russians whatever the circumstances.
Kreuzberger, professor of history at the University of Rostock in Germany, explained in an interview with the French newspaper "Le Monde" that the leaders who ruled Germany were keen to adhere to the policy of "Ostpolitik" launched by Foreign Minister (later Chancellor) Willy Brand at the end of the sixties of the last century.
The "Ost Politics" stipulates the need to establish strong political and economic relations with the Soviet Union and its affiliated republics, whatever the circumstances.
Principle
Kreuzberger explained that until the era of Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany maintained this principle, maintaining the required balance in the relationship with Russia but without angering the West, and not drowning with the West in its choices to avoid angering Russia.
For example, former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder refused to support the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, and Berlin's reluctance at the beginning of Russia's war on Ukraine to make a decisive decision to support Kiev with weapons, which led many to ask skeptically, "Which side does Germany stand?"
Adding to Germany's accuracy was that until 1945 the West saw it as a "disturbing superpower," and its ambiguous stance on providing support to Kiev brought to mind that picture, pressuring Berlin to quickly take a clearer position.
Germany chose
Kreuzberger stressed that Berlin's donation of Leopard 2 tanks to Kiev, its effective contribution to strengthening the eastern flank of NATO, and its endorsement of unprecedented investments in the field of defense, proved to everyone that it chose its camp.
He added that Russia's strategic weight and vast economic resources make it difficult for Germany to ignore, but on the other hand, although it is difficult to imagine finding a solution to the Ukrainian crisis, especially under Vladimir Putin, the lesson of history indicates that a complete rupture cannot last forever.
He said no one had imagined in 1945 that the countries that fought Germany would have any relations with them later, but what happened was that they became a member of NATO just 10 years after the war ended.
Speaking to Le Monde, Kreuzberger added that "the course of history can be completely reversed and change its destination very quickly and unexpectedly."
Reason for hesitation
The editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Die Welt" Daniel Bohmer has explained to Al Jazeera that the reason for Germany's reluctance to provide Kiev with tanks "Leopard 2" is due to its fear of escalation in the Ukraine war, and retaliation by Russia, which may resort to the use of nuclear weapons, and stated that Chancellor Olaf Scholz's party has always been in favor of negotiations with Russia and maintaining lines of dialogue with it.
Bohmer pointed out that the German chancellor's requirement to provide Washington with "Abrams" tanks in order for his country to commit to supplying Ukraine with "Leopard 2" tanks was an attempt to make it difficult for the Americans or propose a face-saving compromise, in light of the pressure that Berlin faced from its partners.
The Americans, for their part, stressed that Abrams tanks are not suitable for Ukraine because they are very complex and require large amounts of fuel, and may be one of the latest weapons America has and does not want it to fall into the hands of the Russians.