German Vice Chancellor Habeck devoted his Easter speech to issue of assistance to Ukraine: "We are still far from peace". VIDEO
This was stated in a video message on the occasion of Easter in the social network of the German Ministry of Economy, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrinform.
Habeck expressed fears that the war in Ukraine will continue for a long time.
"At Easter 2024, we are still far from peace. The war against Ukraine unleashed by Putin is the bloodiest in Europe since 1945," Habek said at the beginning of the almost ten-minute video.
Vizekanzler #Habeck zu Ostern: Ein echter Frieden ist ein Frieden in Freiheit. pic.twitter.com/3FcMH4kWTt
— Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (@BMWK) March 29, 2024
He noted that every day of this war brings deaths, and there is no end in sight. On the contrary, Putin's Russia is completely switching to a military economy and massively increasing weapons production.
At the same time, in Germany, in recent weeks, there has been a debate over the type and extent of support for Ukraine, "sometimes bitter and sometimes offensive," according to the politician. This could give Putin a picture of the divisions in Germany.
He recalled that he was personally one of the first to speak out in favour of supplying weapons to Ukraine, and now he also advocates that Germany should continue to support the Ukrainians with more additional military material.
At the same time, Habeck said that he understands and respects the position of those who have different views, for moral or religious reasons, or fear of escalation.
"I am also worried. The question is what position and what actions are necessary to counter this threat... The government must constantly deal with this, as well as with the question of when the line may be crossed, beyond which Germany actually becomes a party to the war," the Vice Chancellor said, and recalled that all members of the government had sworn to prevent harm to the German people.
"We support Ukraine in its struggle for freedom, and for us, because Putin is fighting against this freedom... We support Ukraine not only out of solidarity or compassion, but also in the interests of Germany and Europe... Putin wants to destroy the unity of Europe, to throw the world into disorder... If Putin succeeds in his war in Ukraine, he will continue," Habeck stressed.
The German politician stressed that Putin will definitely go down in history as a dictator who sent tens of thousands of people to their deaths. He also noted that Putin finances anti-democrats and fascists, uses weapons of hybrid warfare such as disinformation warfare; he lies, fuels fears, provokes, sows uncertainty, intimidates, etc.
Habeck emphasised the desire for peace, but acknowledged that the bitter truth is that "there is probably not going to be a quick, good end, even if we wish otherwise". He opposed the "freezing" of the war.
"There is talk of freezing the war because of the high number of casualties. This position ignores the fact that only Ukrainians can decide what price they are willing to pay and under what conditions they will reach a ceasefire or want to end the war," the Vice Chancellor said. He reminded that the freezing of the conflict under the Minsk agreements did not prevent a full-scale attack on Ukraine. "Putin wants war, he needs this war... Ukrainians are fighting to prevent their country from becoming Putin's country," the Vice Chancellor added.