German
Bundestag, Plenarprotokoll 20/19, pp. 1369-1370.
Right
honorable Herr President. Right honorable ladies and gentlemen. Dear
countrymen.
Let me for a
beginning make a statement to the effect of agreeing with all previous
speakers: Russia has attacked Ukraine and we again have war in Europe. This
most deeply dismays me as a politician, as a citizen of Germany and as a father
of a family.
Certainly the
origins of the conflict go back at least eight years and are complex. Yet it
ought not be our aim in these days to determine which one is guilty. We need to
conduct the discussion to a solution, to a common future.
In that
regard, Germany and its citizens should stand at the mid-point, exactly so as in
the role of European states and peoples. Russia is plainly a part of this, as
is the Ukraine. Herr Lindner, there is always hope, even hope during a war.
Russia is just as little Vladimir Putin as Germany is Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
It is not so simple.
We certainly
are not allowed to forget in these days Russia’s contribution to Germany and
Europe, by which means 32 years ago German unity was made possible, supported
by the withdrawal of Russian troops in the year 1994. We owe them respect, and
I say that quite well aware as an east German. To this day, we thank Russia for
that.
Dear
colleagues, apportionments and assignments of guilt produce no solution but
heat up the conflict ever further. I much more agree with all speakers who
support a de-escalation and détente of words and deeds. And I myself call for
restraint [Mässigung]. We all want
peace in Germany and Europe. Therefore, valued colleagues, please gather all
partners at the negotiations table. Exit the thought corridor of East-West
conflict and sketch a common future for the European continent. For that, we
must remain in dialogue.
Possible
solutions presuppose compromises on both sides. Herr Scholz, you have today
with your speech unfortunately re-activated the Cold War; this I need clearly say
to you.
Unfortunately,
at the moment I see – this I have previously heard in the speeches of all – an
over-bidding competition for the most rapid and most effective demolition of
bridges to the East; for example, money flows and Nord Stream, as Herr Chancellor
Scholz wants it, or means of transport so that Aeroflot no longer may land near
us. Here the question really needs be asked: To whom is this of use? To whom is
this of use and which consequences do we thereby purchase for ourselves? Herr
Merz, a short time ago you spoke of “interests”. Which interests you pursue, we
all know. Definitely not German interests.
Alexander Lambsdorff (FDP): Phooey!
We need ask
ourselves: Which social consequences does your policy have for the German
citizens? These already now need to generally learn to live with rising prices;
keywords: Benzine price, heating costs, rising inflation. Please ponder thereon
as to which signals you give to the following generations. Do you in all
seriousness want to be the Federal government which again sends soldiers into a
war against Russia? That we reject, just as we do the delivery of weapons to
war zones.
Valued
colleagues, we as Germany in the middle of Europe are tested in suffering.
Certainly with our experiences we could uprightly and self-consciously advocate
for a stable, secure Europe and mediate in this conflict as a neutral. I
therefore call upon the Federal government: Do not plan how we are to make
relations worse, but how we can guarantee prosperity, security and a peaceful
co-existence for all nations from Vladivostok to Lisbon! We need stability. It
is in no case allowed to result in that you now already plan for the next
migration wave.
Saskia Esken (SPD): Phooey!
Who, as do
we, looks upon the Ukraine as a self-reliant [eigenständigen] state must also commit himself to this and not
promote its destabilization.
Ladies and
gentlemen, in regards all strife for the good, an apparently clear position for
freedom and democracy also reveals itself at times as a dead-end. The principal
conductor of the Munich Philharmonic, Valerei Gergiev, should distance himself
from Russian policy because he is Russian. I do not know, Herr Merz, whether
for you he is also a representative of Russia. He should by Monday decide,
otherwise he will be given notice at his workplace. Is this a single instance,
or will soon all Russian citizens in Germany be held guilty by association [Sippenhaft]? This is really
incomprehensible.
This demand
stems from the Social Democratic Oberbürgermeister of Munich, Dieter Reiter. Ideology-driven
Cancel Culture for freedom and democracy? How is that the position of the
Federal government, Frau State Minister Roth? Whom then is it supposed to
affect – Putin? That is pure power symbolism and is unsuitable. The times in
which applied eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth are past.
Ladies and
gentlemen, the German-Russian friendship needs to be just as important as the
German-French. Mutual regard and respect are the basis for a common future.
Vizepräsident Wolfgang Kubicki: Herr colleague, please come to a conclusion.
Stable
relations on the European continent are therefore in our interest.
Alexander Lambsdorff (FDP): What are you saying?
We reject a
new arms race. On that account, these 100 billion euros for the Bundeswehr are
really an error, Herr Scholz. As delegation chairman and national chairman for
the Alternative für Deutschland, I will personally continue to commit myself
for dialogue with all negotiating partners and for peace.
Many thanks.
[trans: tem]
