In the second part of a special on Ukraine (and bumper Christmas episode) BerlinsideOut looks at current German strategy for European Security and why it needs to both finish its Zeitenwende and think bigger. Ben provides an update from Vilnius and, together with Aaron, they address the recent decision on Ukraine’s EU Accession talks and the keynote speech of HE Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, calling for NATO and EU membership for Ukraine – and a commitment to the country’s victory.
CDU MdB and foreign affairs expert Roderich Kiesewetter then joins the show to discuss how German strategy must change to both commit to Ukraine’s victory and its European future – and why Germany hasn’t been adapting its strategy for this goal. He also talks about how domestic political changes may end up having a big effect on the country’s future foreign and defence policies. Lastly we pay tribute to a committed neoidealist and supporter of the podcast, Marie Levassor.
Guests:
- HE Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration (@stefanishynaO), excerpt from speech given at DGAP on 24 November, 2023
- Roderich Kiesewetter, MdB, Deputy Chair of the German Bundestag Intelligence Oversight Committee, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee (@RKiesewetter)
- Marie Levassor, NeoIdealist, Champion of Freedom, Supporter of Ukraine – and BerlinsideOut – NAFO Fella, (@MLevassor)
Resources:
- Germany Needs to Finish the Job – and Think Bigger, Benjamin Tallis, Action Group Zeitenwende, DGAP Commentary
- Germany Strikes Deal with Lithuania on Its First Permanent Foreign Troop deployment, Caleb M Larson, Politico
- Ministers Sign Plan for Germany Brigade Deployment in Lithuania, Lithuanian Radio & Television (In English)
- Europe’s Ukraine Strategy: The Costs of Defeat Without the Benefits of Victory, Remarks by HE Olha Stefanishyna at the German Council on Foreign Relations, 24/11/2023
- Kiesewetter: Putin muss unter Druck geraten, Interview with ZDF by HE Roderich Kiesewetter (in German)
- A Different Way of Thinking About EU Enlargement and Reform, Roderick Parkes, Internationale Politik Quarterly
- Scholz calls for Ukraine backing as aid wobbles, The Local Germany
- EU Busts Orban Myth With Historic Decision on Ukraine Accession, Politico
- British Troops Play Opposing Force in Exercise Titan Shield in Latvia, Forces.net
- What does Orbán’s decision on Ukraine’s EU membership mean for an enlarged bloc?, The Guardian
