Where are those brilliant German strategists…?

World champions of strategic planning. Masters of well-prepared and carefully performed political, economic and military operations. Prominent shapers of European politics. In the past, it used to be absolutely clear from these definitions which European nation it was about. Nowadays, in light of recent developments in Germany’s domestic politics and its foreign and security policy, this brand image of a legendary Germany is apparently fading away.

The evolution of German-Ukrainian relations following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is the best example of how Germany has become helpless, with its leadership trapped in domestic political and economic crises, leaving Berlin’s foreign policy increasingly subordinated to US interests. Chancellor Scholz, however, still tries to portray himself as a potent player in global politics. It is clear that Scholz’s ambitions to take part in global issues are more and more limited to Europe – which fits Germany’s real capabilities -, and in particular – Ukraine. The German chancellor has recently proposed his peace plan, saying that it would be necessary to hold a follow-up peace conference where Russia should also be invited.

Details:

• On 24 August, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a telephone conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They reportedly agreed on the importance of the Swiss Peace Summit process and discussed its continuation. ’The inclusion of the Global South is of particular importance,’ the statement said. The two leaders also discussed the continuation of funding for defence support for Ukraine and the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s needs.

• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Olaf Scholz hold a meeting in Germany during Zelenskyy’s visit to attend a Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein Group) meeting on 6 September. According to official announcements, the two leaders discussed the implementation of the German-Ukrainian bilateral security agreement, expanding defence cooperation, including cooperative weapon manufacture, and preparing for the second Peace Summit. In Germany, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Met with Olaf Scholz — Official website of the President of Ukraine

• In an interview with German public service television broadcaster ZDF on 9 September, Scholz said that he backs the idea of inviting Russia to the second Peace Summit and is convinced it is time to discuss ways to end the war. He also stressed that Zelenskyy shares this view. ZDF-Sommerinterview: Kanzler Scholz lehnt Vertrauensfrage ab – ZDFheute

• On 14 September, Rolf Mützenich, the leader of the Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD or Social Democratic Party of Germany) in the Bundestag, has suggested the creation of an international contact group for a peace initiative on Russia’s war against Ukraine. ’Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agree that now is the time to intensify efforts to hold peace talks and that Russia should also be present at the next Peace Summit’, he said adding that China, India, Türkiye and Brazil could become possible contact group members. German SPD leader proposes international group to end Russia’s war against Ukraine / The New Voice of Ukraine (nv.ua)

• ’There are several ways to end a war of aggression, such as Russia’s war against Ukraine, fairly: the occupation army is driven out by force or diplomatically, in such a way that the country preserves its true independence and is freed from occupation. In both scenarios, Ukraine has to be strong. The United States can help with that.’, President Zelenskyy said on 13 September, during the Yalta European Strategy (YES) meeting. The First Day Summary of the 20th YES Annual Meeting – THE NECESSITY TO WIN – News – Yalta European Strategy (YES) (yes-ukraine.org)

Not a single word about Germany or any peace initiative by Olaf Scholz… What is clear from the words of the Ukrainian President that Germany’s efforts are of no importance to him. In the context of Ukraine, this means that Scholz is not important at all. What is important is the United States.

The question arises: would the situation be the same if Germany was not led by Olaf Scholz, but by a more charismatic politician, whose skills are more in accordance with the brand image of the legendary German strategists of the past…?