Ukraine war at "Maischberger": Masala: Peace manifesto "is pure cynicism"

The "Manifesto for Peace" triggers a new debate about a negotiated solution to the Ukraine war.

Ukraine war at "Maischberger": Masala: Peace manifesto "is pure cynicism"

The "Manifesto for Peace" triggers a new debate about a negotiated solution to the Ukraine war. The former German ambassador in Moscow advocates a United Nations initiative. Military expert Masala doesn't think this would impress Putin.

The journalist Alice Schwarzer and the left-wing politician Sahra Wagenknecht have published a "Manifesto for Peace". In it, the 69 first signatories call on the Chancellor to "stop the escalation of arms deliveries" and instead use diplomatic means to work towards a ceasefire. Around 435,000 people have signed the petition online so far (as of February 15, 4:30 a.m.). Neither the military expert Carlo Masala nor the former German ambassador in Moscow, Rüdiger von Fritsch. Both criticize the call heavily on "Maischberger" on ARD.

One cannot assume that the two of them are enthusiastic about the war: it is right that Germany is helping Ukraine and doing everything to defend it. At the same time, however, it is also correct to ask how peace can be achieved, says Rüdiger von Fritsch. "But you have to be realistic about it. And you don't have to believe that you can achieve something like this out of German logic in any way. Russian President Putin doesn't think in the categories of the arguments in this manifesto."

The appeal does not use its language to describe the realities of the war, von Fritsch notes. There it is written that "it" kills civilians and "it" people are raped, but without naming the perpetrators. Finally, von Fritsch criticizes the view that Ukraine cannot win the war against Russia because Russia is a nuclear power: the nuclear power Soviet Union did not win in Afghanistan, and the nuclear power USA did not win in Vietnam. If the West were to stop supporting Ukraine, this would send the signal to the world that violence pays off and that the law of the strongest applies.

Von Fritsch: "There are other ways of thinking about peace horizons." He therefore proposes persuading Russia to enter into talks that could include a ceasefire. One topic could be security policy, for example. So far, many attempts to hold talks with Russia have failed. "But there's a blind spot on the map," says von Fritsch. "That's the United Nations. Where is the UN Secretary-General anyway?" So far he has only been to the Ukrainian capital Kiev. "If he wants, he has a strong set of tools and could take the initiative."

Military expert Carlo Masala is not entirely convinced of this idea. Putin has made it clear that he only wants to negotiate if Russia is granted the four annexed oblasts and Crimea, but Ukraine cannot accept that. "That's why I believe: Neither the military nor the political reality at the moment is such that a successful mediation can be carried out." That applies as long as Russia believes that the war is not yet lost and that further ground gains can still be made.

Masala also disapproved of the manifesto by Schwarzer and Wagenknecht. Blame is attributed almost exclusively to Ukraine, and both sides are called upon to make compromises. "When someone has waged a war of aggression, it is outrageous for both sides to demand compromises." He also criticized the demand to stop delivering weapons to Ukraine. "That's throwing Ukraine under the bus." Masala speaks of "evil national pacifism". "And you can also see who supports the manifesto: It's a broad front that's not concerned about world peace, but simply wants peace and quiet."

There are no clean wars, and Masala makes it clear that people die in every war. "There is one side that wants to wage this war. If you have an idea how to stop this side, then out with it. But to say that the attacked party is no longer allowed to defend itself is pure cynicism."