German MP: We need to approach Lukashenko realistically

Knut Abraham spoke about Germany’s new role in Europe.

What is Germany’s position on the release of political prisoners by Lukashenka? What is Berlin’s view on the so-called peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine initiated by the United States? Is Germany ready to defend NATO’s eastern flank?

Knut Abraham, a member of the Bundestag from Germany’s Christian Democratic Union and coordinator of the German federal government for the German-Polish Cross-Border Cooperation, answered these questions for Charter97.org:

— First of all, I want to highlight that each and every one released prisoner of the 123 people is good news for all their loved ones and supporters of a democratic Belarus. Looking at the bigger picture, I see that dictator Lukashenka has still hundreds of political prisoners in custody and can without ease refill his torture chambers with hundreds of more people.

Therefore, we should not be naive but cautious not to be fooled. Furthermore, the growing issue of sanctions circumventions to Russia will play a larger role. Finally, we can observe an escalation of Lukashenka’s complicity in hybrid attacks against the neighbouring NATO countries, such as the increasing number of weather balloon flights from Belarus to Lithuania, threatening the physical safety of civilians and the air traffic in Lithuania. It should not be overlooked for what it is: A blackmail method of a ruthless dictator that must be deterred adequately. A strategic shift in Lukashenka’s policies is not in sight.

— Do the peace talks with Russia, initiated by the U.S., make any sense?

— Real peace negotiations fulfill their purpose, if the final goal of all parties is to seek peace. Russia in its current state shows no interest in pursuing peace through negotiations. On the contrary, through talks with the US, Moscow tries to gain time to stall increasing economic and military pressure on it and, hence, to weaken Ukraine’s position. Russia’s final goal has not changed, which is still the obliteration of Ukraine’s statehood and national identity and the installation of Russian imperialism on Ukraine’s soil – the actual root cause of this diabolic invasion.

— Should Ukraine receive German-made Taurus missiles without limitations on strikes deep inside Russia?

— Deep-strike capabilities for Ukraine are an essential piece to the puzzle to undermine Russian expansionist capabilities of conventional warfare, including the bombing terror against civilian infrastructure.

The German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has started to co-fund the development of Ukrainian deep strike capabilities as the German Deep-Strike Initiative for Ukraine illustrates. Furthermore, the new German-Ukrainian 10-point plan for military and armament cooperation clearly indicates enhanced and comprehensive defence cooperation between these two countries. Overall, this trajectory is heading in the right direction. Whether the Taurus cruise missile should be delivered to Ukraine, currently or in the near future, is a matter of military affairs I cannot assess appropriately.

— While US military aid to Ukraine can no longer be guaranteed, what is Germany's responsibility for the security of the European Union and, in particular, for the security of Poland and Lithuania?

— Germany plays a crucial role in strengthening NATO’s Eastern flank – to which Poland and Lithuania. From a geostrategic point of view, Germany is a central hub for NATO’s military logistics in Europe, but especially to Poland and Lithuania. Moreover, Germany contributes with rising combat troops in both countries to strengthen the defense capabilities on NATO’s Eastern flank. For instance, the German Air Force managed within record time to deploy four Eurofighters to the Airbase Malbork to support the Polish Air Force protecting the Polish airspace and in Lithuania the ongoing permanent deployment of a full German brigade is going to be completed by 2027.

Our steep increase in military budget spending stresses our awareness and readiness to ramp up our contribution to European Security.

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