The Kremlin repeatedly hints at the possible use of nuclear weapons. The head of the Munich Security Conference, Heusgen, still considers fears of an escalation to be unfounded. The top diplomat criticizes that Germany has lost trust with the long hesitation in committing to battle tanks.
The head of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, does not expect Russia to use nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war. Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin knows "that he cannot use nuclear weapons because he will then lose the support of his most important partner China, which has warned against the use of nuclear weapons," he told the Rheinische Post and the Bonn General-Anzeiger. "He won't risk that. Without China, Russia is isolated in the world." Putin threatened to use nuclear weapons "to intimidate us in Germany and Europe in particular."
Heusgen currently sees no basis for peace negotiations. "I am always in favor of not ruling out peace talks," he said. There are certainly negotiations behind the scenes that have led to the exchange of prisoners or the export of grain from Ukrainian ports. "But I currently see no basis for talks that could lead to an end to the war, because the war goals of Russia and Ukraine are very far apart."
Heusgen is clearly critical of the behavior of Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the battle tank debate. The US government expected Germany to lead the Leopards, but Heusgen notes that the chancellor did not accept it. "The chancellor certainly didn't make any friends in Washington."
The federal government wants to deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and also allow allies to do so. However, the decision was only made after it was foreseeable that the USA would also be ready to supply battle tanks. "The United States has delivered ten times as many arms to Ukraine as Germany. I don't know where we Europeans would be in supporting Ukraine without the Americans, or where the Russians would be now," Heusgen continued. Therefore, he can understand if the American side is upset about it.
In terms of security policy, Europe must stand on its own two feet. "But Europe and Germany must do more for this, above all because the leading NATO power, the USA, is orienting itself more towards the Indo-Pacific region," said the head of the Munich Security Conference. In the foreseeable future, however, Europe will continue to be dependent on the USA as a protecting power. Heusgen emphasized that Germany, as the economically strongest country in Europe, must play a leading role - including militarily. "But that's exactly what we don't see right now. Leadership can't mean always being the last to do what's necessary - see battle tanks". Germany falls short of its possibilities and expectations.
