Chatham House: Germany now ‘follows’ in Europe

Germany’s response to the war in Ukraine shows it can no longer be relied on to deliver leadership in Europe, a think tank in London has heard.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been criticised at home and abroad over his reluctance to provide heavy weapons to help Ukraine fight against Russia’s invasion.

Last week, Germany’s parliament approved a petition to deliver heavy arms to Ukraine, a historic shift in Berlin’s position. But Mr Scholz had been accused of being aloof in the face of the war in Europe.

The government’s response to the Russian invasion means the continent’s biggest economy is not projecting leadership qualities, said Kataryna Wolczuk, a professor of politics and a fellow at Chatham House.

“What is interesting about waiting for Germany’s leadership, there was a lot of coverage of Germany about what was happening and a lot of frustration and anger,” she said.

“What is interesting now [is] that Central Europe doesn’t expect too much from Germany. They’ve realised that actually they need to, in terms of rhetoric and actions, show leadership and Germany is the country which follows, when everybody does this.”

She said “it’s a kind of central European ‘Maidan’ – the place where you see who is who and what can be achieved”, a reference to a 2014 uprising in Ukraine. She was speaking at an online event hosted by Chatham House about how the Ukraine war is likely to affect Europe.

Relations between Berlin and Kyiv have suffered as a result of the German government’s reluctance to send arms.

But last week, Germany said it would send anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine. Mr Scholz also expressed support for a motion passed by the German parliament calling for the acceleration of the delivery of heavy weapons.

Last month, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was snubbed when he announced plans to visit Ukraine.

Kyiv said this was because he previously cosied up to Moscow. Mr Steinmeier said he offered to travel to the Ukrainian capital, but this was “not wanted in Kyiv”.

Mr Scholz has been criticised for his failure to visit the Ukrainian capital.