Several politicians have criticized comments made by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier regarding the debate on arms deliveries to Ukraine. The criticism stemmed from Steinmeier’s appearance at the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” reader congress last Thursday. During his speech, Steinmeier praised the government’s stance under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, stating that Germany is the second most important supporter of Ukraine. However, he also criticized the debate on the potential delivery of weapons systems, such as the Taurus cruise missile, stating that military experts advocating for such deliveries do so with exuberance and growing ambition.
The statement about “caliber experts” drew criticism from politicians like Agnieszka Brugger of the Greens, who questioned why the Chancellor and President could not justify their Taurus position without insulting the other side and praising themselves. She emphasized the seriousness of the situation in Ukraine and criticized the internal political show. Additionally, military expert Carlo Masala expressed his irritation by sharing two photos of Steinmeier meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during his time as Foreign Minister, sarcastically commenting on them as “great successes of German diplomacy.” Masala highlighted the arrogance and disrespect in Steinmeier’s remarks.
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a defense policy expert from the FDP, called Steinmeier’s statements unworthy of his position as President. She criticized him for not fulfilling his role and giving a serious speech to the people to explain the severity of the situation, but rather ridiculing experts to support the SPD’s election campaign. CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen also expressed his disappointment in Steinmeier’s comments, stating that the President’s language was inappropriate and disrespectful towards those engaging in the weapons system debate.
Overall, the reactions to Steinmeier’s comments reflect a growing criticism of the President’s rhetoric and behavior in the public sphere. The debate surrounding the delivery of weapons systems to Ukraine has become a sensitive and polarizing issue, with politicians and experts divided on the best course of action. The tension between different political factions and opinions has been exacerbated by Steinmeier’s remarks, further complicating the discussion on Germany’s role in the international arena and its support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing conflict. The controversy underscores the challenges of balancing domestic politics and foreign policy decisions in a complex and volatile geopolitical landscape.
