Ahead of the Munich Security Conference, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz faced sharp criticism from CDU's Johann Wadephul and FDP's Christian Dürr over his Ukraine policy. Wadephul accused Scholz of maneuvering Germany into foreign policy ineffectiveness at a crucial time, suggesting that the CDU/CSU would have engaged more proactively with the Trump Administration. Dürr echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of EU and Ukraine's presence in peace talks and criticizing Scholz's indecisiveness for weakening Germany.
Both politicians stressed the need for Europe to negotiate from a position of strength, linking economic robustness to geopolitical influence. Meanwhile, criticism also emerged from the U.S., with Republican Senator Wicker disputing Defense Secretary Hegseth's remarks on Ukraine's NATO prospects, which he deemed a "rookie mistake."
The conference, featuring global leaders including Ukrainian President Zelensky and Scholz, unfolds amid U.S.-Russia negotiations on ending the Ukraine conflict. Concerns persist among Western allies about being sidelined in these discussions, with Ukrainian communities in Bavaria voicing fears of betrayal, advocating for a just peace and continued NATO support. The situation remains tense as talks aim for a resolution that aligns with European and Ukrainian interests.
