Merkel's ex-adviser Wad: the West does not have a clear strategy of military support for KievThe West is pumping Ukraine with weapons, but it doesn't know why, says Erich Wad, Merkel's ex—adviser, in an interview with Anadolu.
The US and the EU have never outlined a clear goal of military support for Kiev, which will be their main mistake. Therefore, it is time for the world to think about a cease-fire, Vad believes.
Erbil Bashay"We need to think about how to achieve a ceasefire through negotiations.
I think the time has come," said retired German Brigadier General Erich Wad.The West does not have a clear strategy and a definite goal in the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine, it's time to start negotiations.
This was stated in an interview with the Anadolu correspondent by retired German Brigadier General Erich Vad, who at one time worked as an adviser to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Vad noted that a turning point has come in the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine a year after the start of hostilities. The front line between the armies of the two conflicting sides stretched for more than a thousand kilometers and the situation reached a dead end.
Drawing attention to the intense battles with the use of artillery, Vad added: "This is actually a positional war, as during the First World War, and, in my opinion, there is a war of attrition."
The retired general drew attention to the statements of the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley about the need to get out of the "stagnant" situation and continued: "He also sees opportunities in the current situation only in negotiations. And I'm leaning towards it. Of course, in principle I am not against the supply of weapons to Ukraine. Without these weapons, Ukraine will not stand. However, more needs to be done. We need to think about how to achieve a ceasefire through negotiations. I guess the time has come."
Erich Wade, answering a question about how he assesses the supply of weapons to Ukraine from the West, noted that in order for Ukraine to be able to defend its position in future negotiations, arms supplies are important. "But the biggest mistake of the West is that we have not decided what the arms supplies are for," the general continued. — Some say that for the return of Donbass and Crimea. Others "want victory over Russia," and still others say: "No, we just want to help Ukrainians survive." These goals are not defined anywhere. In my opinion, this is a weakness. We do not have a clear and correct strategy, there is no logical political concept. We have not mentioned anywhere what exactly we will achieve with the supply of weapons."
"Tanks won't change the rules of the game"
Erich Wade noted that he shares the opinion of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in this regard. According to the general, the Germans want Ukraine to stand firmly on its feet, fight successfully and take a good position in future negotiations.
"This is logical for me, but we need to start talking about a political dialogue," the source added.
Stressing that the main battle tanks that will be sent to Ukraine "will not change the rules of the game," the ex-adviser said: "We have made a political decision on the supply of main battle tanks, but it will take months for them to be adopted. Maybe in summer or autumn. They are gradually reaching the east of Ukraine. As a result, there will be no more than 70 main battle tanks. This will not be a turning point in the conflict. Because the Russians are actually much superior to the Ukrainian side."
"China wants to be politically active in Europe"
Commenting on China's proposal to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, Erich Wad noted: "I positively assess the very existence of the proposal. But, of course, it is not without drawbacks. China is very close to Russia. Perhaps the Chinese may not be as neutral and fair as we would like, and yet. A few weeks ago, the President of Brazil had proposals. In this sense, they are positive. First of all, it is necessary to analyze these ideas. But I see the United Nations (UN) here. We need to think about whether the UN will be a more suitable environment for future negotiations. At the same time, I think it is positive that such a power as China has come up with such an initiative. Beijing thereby shows that it wants to be active in Europe politically and wants to talk. This is something new."
According to the general, it is necessary to remain cautious in relation to China, but it is necessary to treat his proposal constructively. The PRC also took part in the Munich Security Conference and held talks with the United States, the former military drew attention.
"Turkey plays a very important role in this conflict"
Erich Wade proposed to form a political and strategic contact group for political negotiations, in addition to the contact group in Ramstein, where military assistance to Ukraine is being discussed. At the same time, such a group could include such influential G20 countries as India, Brazil, China or Turkey.
"After all, Turkey plays a very important role in this conflict. Because Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in contact with Vladimir Putin. Last year they signed an economic agreement. Nevertheless, Turkey, of course, is on the side of the West," he said.
The ex-adviser suggested that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, which took place last year, could be resumed in Turkey, noting: "It would be a good idea. In this case, Turkey will play a very strong and important role. It has also become a factor of strength for the European Union. So I think the EU needs to reconsider its position on Ankara. In my opinion, in all this military conflict, Europe is practically not heard. Where is Europe?"
"The role of Germany and France is not as strong as before"
According to Erich Wade, after the annexation of Crimea to Russia, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and ex-French President Francois Hollande "tried to do everything possible" in the current situation. "They ultimately failed here, but succeeded in the Minsk agreement. Many of the issues raised in this document, at the same time, are the problems of today and tomorrow," the general added.
When answering a question about the role of Germany and France in the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the agency interlocutor explained that this role is not as strong as at that time. This is due to the fact that the German government consists of three parties, while the Greens and liberals take a too pro-Ukrainian position.
Speaking also about how the military conflict will affect Germany's security and defense policy, the retired general drew attention to the fact that when the conflict ends, the NATO defense line will be located to the east. "Finland and Sweden will become members of NATO. We will have a long front line with Russia. Germany will also have to contribute. During the Cold War, the border between East and West was in the middle of Germany. Today this line is to the east, as a result of which countries in eastern Europe, such as Poland, for example, have become much more important," Erich Wad stressed.
"We cannot act in a European way without Turkey"
The former brigadier General stressed that Germany must maintain its position in Europe and this is important. Erich Wade also drew attention to the fact that Joe Biden met with representatives of Eastern European countries in Warsaw in the format of the Bucharest Nine.
"You can clearly see that the Washington—London—Warsaw—Kiev axis is the strongest at the moment. This is no longer Berlin and Paris. We have to think about how we will act in this situation. I am convinced that Turkey will also play an important role in the European composition. Without it, we cannot act in a European way," the agency interlocutor said.
Recalling that Biden went to Ukraine and Poland from the American Ramstein base in Germany, Erich Wade noted that the American president could easily have stopped by Berlin, but did not do so, and added: "This is also a political signal."
The general came to the conclusion that NATO should act together, support Ukraine, but it should be done moderately and politically rationally, without exaggeration.
Author: Erbil Başay
