TV criticism “Markus Lanz”: “Ukraine with everything we have in support”

US President Trump wants to achieve peace in Ukraine at all costs, even on Russian conditions. His possible peace plan offers the guests of Markus Lanz plentiful conversation on Wednesday evening at ZDF.

The guests

The Union Managing Director Thorsten Frei (CDU), the military expert Claudia Major, the Washington correspondent of ZDF, Elmar Theveßen, and the deputy “Welt” editor-in-chief Robin Alexander.

The topic of the evening: is the end of the war against Ukraine?

The vast majority of the show is about Russia’s war against Ukraine. When it comes to Trump’s Ukraine policy, a touch of harmony is blowing through the studio, the guests are so united in their rejection of the US president.

In a paper in the United States, for example, which wants to achieve an end of the war through extensive concessions to Russia, US correspondent Theveßen and military expert Major also see a “dictation peace”.

The project is “a big profit for Russia,” emphasizes Major. Russia “played the wall excellently”. Major sees a “sign of weakness” in the possible withdrawal of the United States from the conflict that Theveßen expressly considers Theveßen.

Union managing director, the only politician in the group, shares this assessment: “Basically, when they should withdraw, the Americans lose all credibility.” Trump’s proposal could “not be acceptable for us in Europe as a whole”. Alexander agrees: “The betrayal is currently being celebrated by the Americans.”

Only the moderator creates understanding for the attitude of the US president. “I understand every single point he does,” says Lanz about Trump’s statements about Ukraine. After all, he wants to end the “senseless bloodshed” in Ukraine. “The Ukrainians want that too,” Major throws in.

What’s next for Germany?

What should Germany do now? With a sporty, nutritious metaphor, Robin Alexander advises against detachment from the USA: “As long as we can’t do it, we should keep the ball flat.” Germany can have little influence on the Americans, says the journalist. “There is time to bake small rolls.”

And how should Ukraine exist if Trump finally turns away from it? “Specifically, this means that we have to support Ukraine with everything we have in terms of possibilities,” says CDU politician. Ukraine must be able to “defend” Russia’s invasion.

What this means in concrete terms, which overarching goal the German Ukraine policy pursues, and whether the delivery of the March missile, Taurus, recently brought into play by CDU boss Friedrich Merz, is freely said. His allegedly clear announcements dry up here in Appeals.

With a view to arms deliveries, the guests agree – once again – that discussions about individual weapons systems are unnecessary. They are still managed, while videos of the Bundeswehr run in the background that show the rocket strikes.

Without item speculation, Lanz doesn’t work

However, the interventions of the moderator are far more inappropriate, which breaks the seriously serious discussion with his entertainment questions for talk show relationships. If it has just been talked about war and peace, Lanz is not too good to suddenly bare with speculation about a job as a Chancellery Minister. As expected, he does not receive an answer.

Sometimes Lanz’s insistence also has his good. When it comes to financial policy in the direction of the end, he asks Thorsten freely to ask whether these tax rows will be excluded in the future. It doesn’t work free.

A harmonious end

“Politics also means explaining why hard times are imminent,” says military expert Major at the end. “Could you also talk to the citizens like adults?” Alexander asks hopefully into the group. “I am convinced of it,” throws in. The trusted harmony holds. Only Lanz is right to have his doubts.