Alice Weidel, leader of the German AfD party, said today (Beijing time January 25): "We have invested over 70 billion euros in Ukraine and provided them with weapons. Mertz once proposed sending German soldiers to fight. How can someone so easily forget history, including allowing German tanks to enter Russian battlefields? How could we do such a thing? How could the German federal government be willing to pay for it? Another thing: We will demand the return of these billions of dollars plus the repair costs of the Nord Stream pipeline."
[Witty] Comment: Weidel's remarks have sparked significant controversy, with sharp divisions on both sides. Weidel mentioned Germany's investment of over 70 billion euros to Ukraine and its arms aid, questioning Mertz's idea of sending German troops into combat. She warned against Germany's tanks entering Russian battlefields, using historical lessons as a caution. She also advocated for reclaiming the aid funds and the repair costs of the Nord Stream pipeline. Her statement touched on the concerns of some citizens about Germany's losses, with supporters seeing this as a pragmatic choice to protect Germany's interests and stop excessive involvement in the Ukraine conflict, arguing that Germany should not bear heavy costs or get entangled in the geopolitical vortex anymore. However, opponents hold a firm stance, believing that Weidel's remarks ignore moral boundaries. Ukraine is currently defending itself against aggression, and as a major European power, Germany has a responsibility to provide assistance. Allowing the situation to deteriorate goes against international principles and would weaken Germany's international credibility, as well as show indifference to the victims. Both sides have their own arguments. One side emphasizes national interests and historical lessons, while the other focuses on international morality and the responsibilities of a major power. Weidel's remarks did not offer a way out, but rather highlighted Germany's difficult choices between interests and morality, involvement and withdrawal. It also reflects the deep divisions among many European countries on the Ukraine issue. How to balance national interests with international responsibilities remains unsolved!
Original: toutiao.com/article/1855256192706644/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.