November 16, 2024
By Nasser Kandil
• Germany, once viewed as a rational state focused on economic and technological development, has abandoned its balanced role in favour of becoming a key enabler of U.S. wars, including those of the occupying entity and the conflict in Ukraine. As the second-largest supplier of arms and funds after the United States, Germany willingly tarnished its reputation by taking on “dirty roles” previously left to smaller U.S. allies. In a striking example, Berlin sabotaged its own energy security by shutting down the Nord Stream pipelines that supplied Russian gas, sacrificing billions in investments and a reliable, cost-effective energy source to satisfy U.S. demands.
• The ripple effects of these failed wars are now reshaping the global order, with profound repercussions even in the U.S., the central hub of globalisation. America, once the industrial powerhouse, now struggles with manufacturing decline and an agricultural crisis. This internal collapse catapulted Donald Trump, the symbol of rebellion against globalisation and endless wars, back to the presidency for a second term. Amid the chaos of his leadership, one thing stands clear: his policy on Russia and the future of the Ukraine war lies outside the disorder. For Germany, this clarity signals a need to prepare for even greater challenges ahead.
• In a significant shift, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz preempted Trump’s presidency by initiating the first Western conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin since December 2022. According to a Kremlin statement, the hour-long call involved a “detailed and candid exchange of views” on the situation in Ukraine.
• Putin emphasised during the call that “Russia’s proposals for ending the war in Ukraine are well-known, as outlined in his June speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry”. The two leaders also discussed Russian-German relations, with the Kremlin noting that “Russia consistently honours its contractual obligations in the energy sector and remains open to mutually beneficial cooperation if Germany shows interest”.
• This German pivot came despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urging Scholz not to engage with Putin. Zelensky’s plea followed warnings from Ukraine about imminent battlefield collapses unless the West provides additional funding and arms. The call marks a turning point in Germany’s approach, signalling an acknowledgment that negotiation – not escalation – is the only viable path forward.
