Putin has managed to clear the path for Germany’s return to its traditional status as Central Europe’s dominant military power
That was nothing new for Germany: it nearly won both World Wars on the strength of its martial spirit, greatly outclassing the military performance of other nations at both the tactical and strategic levels.
However, the horrendous atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis profoundly influenced German political culture in the postwar era; it rebuilt its military to deter Russian aggression, but it avoided any hint of the expansionist aspirations that had motivated the Kaiser and the Fuhrer. Despite frequent complaints from Washington, Germany resisted increasing its military expenditures—so much so that on the eve of the Trump administration, only a third of the country’s fighters were operational and all six of its diesel-electric submarines were out of service.
Putin apparently believed that he could quickly defeat and occupy Ukraine without provoking a major shift in Western military plans.Only three days after the Russian invasion, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivered a speech to the Bundestag excoriating Russian aggression, and calling for a $113 billion special fund to rebuild the German arsenal.
The most remarkable aspect of this about-face on military preparations was the enthusiasm with which the German public supported Scholz’s plan.showed that even members of the Green Party were overwhelmingly in favor of boosting defense spending. So here is what Putin has managed to accomplish just two weeks into his Ukraine invasion: even as Russian forces turn in a mediocre battlefield performance, the Western nation that has repeatedly posed the greatest military threat to Moscow is rearming.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Russia taking over Ukraine could be a headache for PutinMaintaining control of Ukraine would require Putin to commit tens of thousands of troops and make a significant financial investment in rebuilding the country.
Weiterlesen »
Letters: Voters’ choices | Electric cars | Addressing racism | Evolving reactions | Ukraine and NATO | Opposing PutinEast Bay Times Letters to the Editor for March 10, 2022
Weiterlesen »
US, UK vow to defeat Russia in Ukraine, Blinken 'absolutely convinced that Putin will fail'The U.S. and the U.K. said their ultimate goal is to defeat Russian President Vladimir Putin and restore Ukraine's sovereignty.
Weiterlesen »
Possible Putin-Zelensky meeting discussed at high-level Ukraine talksJUST IN: Russia's foreign minister and his Ukrainian counterpart discussed the possibility of a meeting between their two presidents during talks in Turkey, but otherwise failed to come to an agreement on a ceasefire.
Weiterlesen »
Putin 'undeterred' by economic sanctions and military setbacks in Ukraine, U.S. intel leaders sayPutin 'has no sustainable political end game in the face of what is going to continue to be fierce resistance' from Ukraine's military, director of national intelligence Avril Haines said.
Weiterlesen »
How Trump and Putin Have Been Allies Against UkraineDonald Trump’s rise introduced to the Republican Party a figure who shared Vladimir Putin’s perspective toward Ukraine and often echoed his propaganda. jonathanchait writes
Weiterlesen »