Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a partial mobilization of the country. This could further fuel the Ukraine war. In Europe, the project evokes very different reactions.
In Kyiv, the measure triggered Putin’s ridicule. External adviser to Ukraine’s presidential office, Mykhailo Podoliak, tweeted on Wednesday: “Is everything still going according to plan or not?” The war planned for “three days” has already lasted 210 days. The Russians, who demanded Ukraine’s annihilation, have now received mobilization, closed borders, blocked accounts and prison sentences for deserters, among other things. “Life has a wonderful sense of humor,” concluded Podoljak.
The Czech government sharply criticized Russia’s partial mobilization. Russian President Vladimir Putin is pursuing the goal of further escalating the war against Ukraine, Prime Minister Petr Fiala wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. The move is further proof that Russia is the only aggressor in this conflict.
Great Britain, on the other hand, sees the partial mobilization as a sign of weakness. “President Putin’s breaking his own promises not to mobilize parts of the population and the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories are admissions that his invasion is failing,” Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on Wednesday, according to a statement.
The SPD shares this view. Parliamentary secretary Katja Mast said the partial mobilization shows that Putin is willing to take further steps. Therefore, support to Ukraine must continue without let-up. “Putin’s renewed escalation is not such that we see that there will be talks about peace anytime soon.” Mast said: “We need staying power, which is also shown by Putin’s partial mobilization.”
Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) also sharply criticized Russia’s decision. That was a “worse and wrong step,” said the Federal Minister of Economics on Wednesday morning in Berlin. The federal government is currently deliberating on an answer to this decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin. In this context, Habeck again promised Ukraine full support from Germany.
