Several SPD politicians see a diplomatic solution as the only way to end the war in Ukraine. “I expressly welcome the proposal for a negotiated solution,” said Bundestag member Ralf Stegner to the star. Every day of war brings new deaths and destruction. “I therefore consider anything that could lead to a ceasefire or a peace agreement to be right.”
The background is the recent move by Oleksiy Arestovych, once a close advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Speaking to the Star, Arestovych suggests freezing the war and regaining the territory occupied by Russia through diplomatic rather than military means.
Arestovych, who now lives in Europe and the USA and wants to replace Zelensky as president, speaks of a “dead end on the battlefield.” That’s why it’s time to “sit down at the negotiating table.” So far, the government of Ukraine is demanding the full restoration of territorial integrity and the withdrawal of Russian troops as a condition for negotiations.
“Ukraine must not lose this war,” emphasized Stegner. “But this cannot be ended through arms deliveries alone.” The plan to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate with Western military aid obviously did not work.
“There have long been good reasons to be skeptical about the sole focus on arms deliveries,” said the SPD politician. But now the war in Ukraine is in danger of being pushed into the background due to the Middle East conflict and Western support is in danger of weakening. “That’s why it’s time for a ceasefire to prevent something worse from happening. Every opportunity that leads to negotiations should be used.” It is important, however, “that the solution may come about through small steps, but should not mean that Putin is allowed to use force to change borders.”
Ex-advisor Arestowytsch’s concept envisages, among other things, freezing the conflict and creating a situation similar to the Cold War between the Federal Republic and the GDR. It was a “temporary deal,” said Arestowytsch. Should NATO then accept Ukraine into the military alliance, its protection would only extend to the territory that is de facto controlled by Ukraine. “We will pursue the return of the occupied territories through political means,” suggests Arestovych.
The SPD member of the Bundestag Michael Müller cannot agree with this proposal. “Germany was a divided country for decades, reunification was a stroke of luck in history – which does not have to repeat itself,” warned Müller.
However, Berlin’s former governing mayor also sees a diplomatic solution to the war as practically having no alternative. “In the Ukraine war, nothing is moving in one direction or the other – while both sides are complaining about increasing losses. My doubts are growing that this war can be ended militarily,” Müller told the star. “A negotiated solution is needed. A ceasefire is therefore desirable.”
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“If the call in Ukraine for a negotiated solution becomes louder, then this opportunity must not be missed,” said Müller. However, he emphasized: “One thing is just as certain: nothing may be decided against the will of Ukraine.” The arms deliveries from Germany and the West “for self-defense” must be continued “with the aim of a peace that takes Ukraine’s interests into account.”
The SPD member of the Bundestag Andreas Schwarz also welcomes any diplomatic attempt to end the war. “The Western world cannot have any interest in a long conflict because the time game only benefits Russia,” he told the star. Black was skeptical. So far, he has not noticed any willingness from Ukraine’s official side to give up territory. “And the Ukrainian government has to decide this on its own.”
Security guarantees for Ukraine would also be of central importance, said Schwarz with regard to the proposals, as would “freedom of movement in this new territory will be regulated”. Here, blue helmets could ensure a demilitarized zone and an investigation into crimes committed.
