The Minister Presidents of Saxony and Brandenburg and the head of the Thuringian CDU have spoken out in favor of greater diplomatic engagement by Germany to end the Russian war against Ukraine. "We want Germany to play a more active diplomatic role in close coordination with its European neighbors and partners," wrote the heads of government Michael Kretschmer (CDU) and Dietmar Woidke (SPD) as well as Mario Voigt, who aspires to this office, in a joint guest article in the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" (online).
All three are dependent on the support of the Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) when forming a coalition after the elections in their states. This requires a position against the planned stationing of more extensive US missiles in Germany and support for a ceasefire between Russia and the invaded Ukraine - which the latter rejects on Russia's terms.
"A strong and united alliance is needed to bring Russia to the negotiating table. Germany and the EU have been too indecisive in pursuing this path," wrote the three state politicians. The broader the international alliance, the greater the pressure will be. "The aim is to achieve a ceasefire and offer Ukraine reliable security guarantees." They did not elaborate on the framework conditions.
