German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is currently appealing to the US for further US aid to Ukraine. However, in her previous appointments since Tuesday evening, she only met Republican politicians and even gave an interview to the right-wing conservative broadcaster Fox News. Does the German federal government want to slowly move towards a possible republican government after the next presidential elections?
Asked why she had not met with a politician from the ruling Democrats, Baerbock said on Thursday that she was in weekly conversations with her Democratic US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. During her first visit as German Foreign Minister, she met then-Democratic Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi. That’s why it was important for her to meet with Republican Minority Leader McConnell in particular.
Views were exchanged on Ukraine, but also on many economic policies and other geostrategic issues. A dinner with Blinken is also scheduled for Friday evening.
‘Republicans had a lot of questions’
The purpose of their trip was apparently to convince critical sections of Republicans of Kiev’s long-term support. “I heard Republican voices who had a lot of questions about the support for Ukraine,” the Green Party politician said after talks with Republican members of Congress in Washington. But she has also heard from many “that it is clear to them how important continued support for Ukraine is for us Europeans, and of course for Ukraine itself.”
‘Putin’s victory would send a fatal signal to other dictatorships’
The Green minister also painted threatening images on the wall: If Putin were to win the war against Ukraine because there was no further support for Kiev from Europeans and Americans, “that would also be a fatal signal to other dictatorships, to other autocracies. in this world,” said Baerbock. This would mean “just being bold long enough to oppress your smaller neighbor,” she added.
“And that would definitely send the wrong signal.” Even though there are different positions, many Republicans have made it clear “that for them, support for Ukraine is central and important because it is also support for the rules-based international order. ”
Visit to the NATO pilot training center
Concerns are growing within the German federal government that former Republican President Donald Trump could return to the White House. In this case, it would be unclear how the future US administration would position itself in multilateral organizations. Compared to his predecessor Trump, Democratic President Joe Biden is seen as much more predictable among allies. He is also seeking a second term.
During her multi-day visit, Baerbock also visited the German Air Force Tactical Training Command in Wichita Falls, Texas. The 42-year-old praised the work of around 35 German flight instructors as an important contribution to the security of Germany, Europe and NATO. Without the training at the NATO base there, “we would not be able to further strengthen security here in Europe,” she said.
About 25 German student pilots are currently being trained there. German jet pilots have been trained in Wichita Falls since 1966. In 1981, the program was expanded to include pilot candidates from other NATO countries. The training is considered a practical example of transatlantic cooperation in the field of security and defense policy.
Source: Krone
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