Call in Germany for National Ukraine Conference

The politician and defence expert says that representatives from politics, the armaments industry, trade unions and the German armed forces should attend the meeting.

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), Chairwoman of the Defence Committee in the German Bundestag, calls for a "National Ukraine Conference

The Chairwoman of the Defence Committee in the Bundestag, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann has called on Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to convene a "National Ukraine Conference" as soon as possible.

This was in a letter from the FDP politician to Chancellor, which has been given to the German Press Agency in Berlin.

The Ukraine war is in a crucial phase.  "While the Ukrainian army bravely withstands a brutal Russian attack, trying to contain the Russian army and noting its own military successes thanks to our humanitarian, economic and military support, Russia continues to prepare for major offensives," warns Strack-Zimmermann.

The FDP politician advocates a meeting at which representatives from politics and the Federal Chancellery, the armaments industry, the trade unions and the German Army sit around a table and co-ordinate further steps.  "The aim should be to get an orderly overview in order to initiate the next steps in a targeted, mutually agreed manner," the letter says.

How long Ukraine can defend itself and how successful this will ultimately be depends “particularly on Germany’s support.” The Federal Government has done a lot, but "must do more to help Ukraine win this war." Strack-Zimmermann: "Germany must assume the leadership role in Europe which her Western partners are demanding and without a doubt move forward decisively and courageously."

Germany should not be putting on the breaks and stop being a loser

The FDP politician is one of the driving forces within the government coalition with the SPD and the Greens for the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine, which has since been decided upon and which has taken place and moreover which has long been controversial.  In May, she asked Scholz to appoint a co-ordinator for arms aid to Ukraine in the Chancellery.  Disagreements within government and with industry had previously given allies the impression of hesitancy and prompted open criticism.

Damaged tanks and weapons from the Ukraine war.

"It must not be that at the end of the war the world perceives Germany that put on the brakes and became a loser just because we are not able to organize and communicate," said Strack-Zimmermann at that point.

Together with the Netherlands, Germany has now handed over 12 of the modern Panzerhaubitze 2000 to the Ukraine.  Both states want to increase the number to a total of 18 self-propelled howitzers, enough for a complete Ukrainian artillery battalion.  In Germany, Ukrainians are currently being trained to use the Mars II rocket launcher, the next weapon system to be deployed.   The delivery of ammunition of all kinds to Ukraine is considered to be a key factor in order to be able to withstand the attack that has now been expanded by Russia.