As of: March 28, 2024, 1:25 p.m
By: Simon Schröder
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Heinrich August Winkler criticizes Olaf Scholz and the SPD. Her stance on the Ukraine war worries him and other historians. Their warning is clear: more toughness against Putin.
Berlin – In an incendiary letter, the historian Heinrich August Winkler and other German scientists addressed the SPD and Olaf Scholz. The historian luminary, as the
South German
calls him, criticized the Chancellor's recent statements regarding the Ukraine war. “We view the SPD’s position on the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine with growing concern,” the 85-year-old appeals to the Social Democratic leadership. Jan Claas Behrends from the European University Viadrina, Gabriele Lingelbach, Martina Winkler from the Christian Albrechts University and Dirk Schumann from the Georg August University also shared the historian's displeasure, as the
Süddeutsche
further reports.
Winkler saw the first signs of a conflict with Putin as early as 2016
As early as 2016, the professor emeritus pleaded with the SPD leadership to rethink how they deal with Vladimir Putin. In the SPD party newspaper
Vorwärts
he warned that Putin was seeking to revise the borders in Europe. And history shows how correct his assessment was: the Ukraine war is now entering its third year.
Professor (em.) Heinrich August Winkler, historian, criticizes the Chancellor in an incendiary letter for his dealings with Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. © Florian Gaertner/photothek.net/Imago
It wasn't just Scholz who was criticized. Group leader Rolf Mützenich was also dealt with harshly. The SPD politician recently spoke in the Bundestag about “freezing” the war in Ukraine. However, according to the historians, this would “actually mean an end (of the war,
editor’s note
) in favor of the attacker”. Furthermore, the concept of peace in politics is short-sighted because “both the experiences with the Minsk Treaties and what is happening in the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine and, last but not least, Russia’s threats to attack other European countries are ignored,” the scientists concluded.
Winkler with harsh criticism: “Loss of reality” in the SPD – party leader Klingbeil tries to appease
At the end of the letter, the historians draw a clear conclusion. It says: “We consider this denial of reality to be highly dangerous and appeal to you to finally name a clear strategy for a victory for Ukraine, combined with the equally clear statement that it is not about attacking and damaging Russia, but also about 1991 to restore Ukraine’s independence recognized by Russia.”
Meanwhile, party leader Lars Klingbeil tried to clearly define the party's positions regarding Ukraine and Russia. In an Instagram video on Tuesday (March 26th), he made it clear that “political, financial and military support will continue.” The SPD leader specified that it would continue as long as Ukraine needed the support. But diplomacy should not be neglected either. “Diplomacy and military strength are two sides of the same coin. For the SPD, it has always belonged together,” affirms the 46-year-old.
(SiSchr)