German leader's Ukraine choices may encourage nuclear threats, warns top politician
Senior German opposition figure criticizes chancellorʼs handling of Ukraine weapon supplies due to nuclear war fears. His new book suggests this approach could make nuclear-capable states more likely to threaten others
Norbert Röttgen‚ a well-known CDU policy-maker points out major issues with German chancellors approach to Ukraine support in his just-released book (Democracy and War)
On April 22 2022‚ the chancellor offered his assessment that Putin could respond with the use of nuclear weapons to the supply of armoured tanks and howitzers
The CDU parliament-member suggests that this kind of thinking throws away decades of cold-war nuclear deterrence policy; making Germany look weak against nuclear threats. His main worry is that countries like Iran might try to use similar threats to push Germany around in the future
The timing of Röttgenʼs book matches with German politics - as the CDU party looks ready to win next years elections and take control from Olaf Scholzʼs government. Theyʼve already said theyll send more powerful weapons to Ukraine including high-tech Taurus missiles if Russia doesnt stop hitting civilian areas
The book brings up other big world-issues:
- Russian victory costs would be higher than helping Ukraine
- Middle East needs two-state solution; Israeli settlements should stop
- German trade with China creates same problems as Russian gas did
Röttgen who sits on the foreign affairs committee thinks Putin wont stop with Ukraine if he wins - making Europe pay much more in both money and safety. He also points out that Germanyʼs switch from Russian supplies led to more Chinese trade which could be trouble if China decides to take Taiwan
