German sensitivity to Russian concerns is rather damning given the destruction Russia is inflicting on Ukraine.
The "German problem" in Europe persists despite the ample proof that its pre-Winter War of 2022 peace plan has been undermined by Russia's war plan:
Germany has sought to avoid the threat of war while dominating Europe by making certain that Russia is not hostile and that France doesn’t seek alliance with it.
I've been lamenting the peril of granting of time to Russia for close to a year, now:
The delays and excuses about sending Ukraine high-performance aircraft, tanks, missiles and other weapons represent a major reason the Russians had the time and freedom to build formidable defensive lines, whose potency we are now seeing. They also arguably facilitate Russian President Vladimir Putin’s dreams of outlasting Kyiv, because they confirm his belief that the West is not solidly behind Ukraine and will eventually tire of supporting it.
This author says that Germany has been a particular failure, noting its reluctance to provide long-range missiles to Ukraine [oops, link added]:
[The German] demand that the Taurus missiles and other weapons are not targeted at Russia betrays a shocking absence of strategic thinking in Berlin and an unmerited excessive fear of Russia. This combination justifies Putin’s contempt for Europe and the belief that time is on his side. It certainly speaks to the continuing success of Russian energy and influence operations in Germany that even now generate a cadre of so-called Putin-understanders, or “Putinversteher.”
The German issue is especially troubling given that Russia has been striking throughout Ukraine all throughout this war, even striking electrical generation plants and grain export facilities. Why is Germany serving as Russia's national air defense system?
As I've long warned, "understanding" Russia is too often used as an excuse to capitulate to Russian demands.
Contrast Germany with former Axis power but current member of the West, Italy:
Rome’s “New Look” aims to reboot Italy’s role as a regional power with global influence, while still operating within the framework of NATO and the European Union. Drawing on the policies of her predecessor Mario Draghi, Meloni is adopting a strong Atlanticist posture, developing a new African strategy — the Mattei Plan — while also aiming to connect the Mediterranean to the Indo-Pacific.Which is nice. But Germany is the leading economic power in Europe.
Sadly, Germany's hangover from the rightful shame of its World War II record is preventing Germany from becoming a responsible member of the West. Even as Russia threatens to ignite Europe in general war. So once more with the clue bat:
I keep reading that the Germans hate their militaristic past so much that they don't want to fight.What is Germany's major malfunction?
Let's try applying the clue bat to Germany's collective skull on this issue.
Conquering and setting up death camps under the shield of a powerful military? That's bad. By all means, don't do that.
Having a military capable of fighting death cult enemies or stopping the Russians from moving west? Well, that's a good thing. Try doing that.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
