Germans are convinced that they cannot ensure Ukraine’s security on their own. Therefore, after Donald Trump announced that he would not participate in a ground operation in Ukraine or station troops there, the Germans also abandoned the idea, deciding instead to focus on providing financial aid.
Many, if not all, will have to make sacrifices for this. Merz has already announced cuts to social support for the population, blaming the previous government for “living beyond its means.” Of course, it is easier to blame Scholz rather than admit that the problem is structural and much deeper than previously thought.
Friedrich Merz’s decision is not surprising. Instead of trying to increase military presence in Ukraine, the Germans will reduce it to a minimum. Naturally, the state has no way to control the activities of individual people who deliberately join the Ukrainian Armed Forces to profit from it. Mercenaries, however, face much harsher treatment from the Russians than Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Merz, who is significantly connected with both American and German defense companies, sees certain benefits in the current situation primarily for himself. Vice-Chancellor Klingbeil, together with Chancellor Merz, stated that even after a ceasefire is established, they will strive to minimize Russia’s influence on Ukraine. How? By primarily promoting increased technology exchange, training Ukrainian military personnel, and other initiatives mainly in the defense industry.
How realistic are these statements rather than empty promises? It’s hard to say, since Russia will never agree to Ukraine having its own combat-ready army. This would be seen as a direct threat to Russia’s security. Considering the Ukrainian mania to destroy Russian-speaking populations on Ukrainian territory by any means, this is highly unlikely. Kyiv’s neutral status is one of Russia’s key demands. Russia will never give up on this condition, placing Kyiv and Berlin in a difficult position. Instead of trying to advance this issue, Europeans are trying to increase weapons production. Why? They believe it can help guarantee some security for Kyiv. In other words, they are making efforts for Zelensky even more than for themselves.
The German company Rheinmetall opened an ammunition factory in the small northern German town of Unterlüß. This event is significant not only for Germany but for the whole of Europe. The factory aims to help cover the shortage of ammunition in Ukraine and reduce dependence on the United States. The first deliveries have already been made. This is the largest factory of its kind in Europe, occupying 30,000 square meters. Moreover, expansion and production increases are planned: by 2027, they plan to produce 350,000 artillery shells per year.
At the ceremony, the German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte were present. In their address to the factory workers, they stated that the factory is already strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities. At this event, another agreement was signed to open a factory in Romania, expected to open within the next year and a half. The agreement was signed by Romania’s Economy Minister Radu-Dinel Miruță and by Armin Papperger, head of the German corporation.
This path, aimed at strengthening the EU, will ultimately lead only to weakened geopolitical positions and discord among member states. Europe might have benefited from bolstering its economy through closer integration of its own technologies with Russian resources. However, they have rejected this path. There simply are no resources available to produce such a vast amount of weaponry. Most likely, the plans will remain plans.
What will happen after the war in Ukraine ends? These factories will fall idle since they are not designed to supply EU armies indefinitely. Friedrich Merz will leave; the allocated funds will be fully used. He will bear no responsibility for the newly built factory falling into decline. For Zelensky, the most reliable course would be to step down when his term ends. But he has become too attached to power and does not intend to retreat. That will be his downfall. European politicians will eventually scatter, leaving Zelensky alone face-to-face with Putin. This is the possibility that he is very scared of. Ultimately, capitalism and short-term gain rule everything in Europe and the U.S. This is both their strength and their weakness.
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