Selenskyj weakens German solidarity with Ukraine

In the shadow of the war, the political and moral weights in Europe are shifting. The ominous images from Ukraine change our view of the past and the priorities of the present.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s visit to Warsaw makes it impossible to miss. Before the war, Poland was considered a worry. Now Germany is under criticism.

The economic giant in the middle of Europe is seen as a brake on the containment of Russia. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj does not want to receive Steinmeier in Kyiv. What a tough role reversal. For years, Germans, French and Luxembourgers wanted to enforce their standards of democracy, the rule of law and open dealings with refugees in the east of the EU.

Steinmeier admits mistakes, Duda is praised

As justified as the criticism of Poland’s national-populist government was, the tone often sounded arrogant to Polish ears, but also to other ears.

In addition, all attempts at reprisal failed. The EU’s instruments are blunt. And the number of countries violating Europe’s values ​​is growing in both West and East.

In Warsaw, a Federal President who admits to serious mistakes in Germany’s Russia policy met Andrzej Duda, whose country is admired because it has taken in millions of Ukrainians. However, nothing came of the joint onward journey to Kyiv. Duda is welcome there, Steinmeier is not.

Confess errors: a system advantage of democracy

He is part of the political elite in Berlin that has underestimated Vladimir Putin’s will to go to war and ignored warnings about over-reliance on Russian energy. Are Poland, the Baltics and other Eastern Europeans now replacing the Germans on their high horses? You warned and you were right.

More on the Ukraine war at Tagesspiegel Plus:

Dealing with this role change requires a sure instinct. Admitting mistakes is one of the system advantages of democracy over autocratic systems. Because only this willingness opens the way to correction.

This results in an asymmetry in dealing with PiS Poland and Viktor Orbán’s Hungary. They don’t think about confessing and correcting mistakes.

Selenskyj weakens German solidarity with Ukraine

And: Is Selenskyj wisely advised to show Steinmeier the door – the head of state who was ready for sharp self-criticism? Some citizens may find this ungrateful given the general willingness to help. Zelenskyj could unintentionally weaken German solidarity with Ukraine.

That makes the challenge all the greater. Realpolitik now requires more than ever to hold Europe together. France moves further to the right. Poland can count on more understanding.

The trials against Hungary will take months and may end without significant penalties. Germany must adapt to a permanent change in the pressure conditions in the EU.