Anders Adlercreutz and
Atte Harjanne, two members of the Finnish parliament and its defence committee, just made the case for a European Leopard 2 initiative. atteharjanne.fi/2022/12/27/ukr… 1
„A joint European effort would have the potential to provide a significant boost to Ukraine's ground combat capability and perhaps decisively help Ukraine maintain the momentum it has gained in the war.“ (DeepL) 2
„🇫🇮has a total of about two hundred Leopard 2 battle tanks. Geography limits Finland's ability to provide a large number of key deployed equipment, but Finland's contribution of even a small number of tanks would be valuable if the European tank campaign can get off the ground.3
That is needed now. By launching this debate, we could also sow the seeds for bigger and more effective support.“ Hello German government? And then, there is this: 4
„In reality, the battle tanks do not fundamentally change the nature of Western support, and Western support to Ukraine should not be measured according to the Russian narrative but according to the defence of our own interests and values.“ 5
Since yesterday at a transatlantic defence forum near Prague. Many participants are former and current government officials, former and active NATO officials, almost all from CEE, Baltic’s, UK and US. Some observations from outside the Berlin bubble. Short🧵1/5
Everyone here is convinced that Ukraine is fighting not only for itself, but for all Europeans: "Their fight is our fight". Many here from Central and Eastern Europe feel that they will be next if Putin is not stopped.2
There is much less concern about unintentionally setting in motion a spiral of escalation. No references to World War III, widely shared conviction that the probability of a Russian nuclear strike is low. 3
Für die @NZZ habe ich über die #Zeitenwende geschrieben. 7 Wochen später scheint es, als habe die Bundesregierung Angst vor der eigenen Hellsichtigkeit bekommen. Das Momentum der (meiner Meinung nach hervorragenden) Zeitenwende-Rede verblasst. Ein 🧵👇 nzz.ch/meinung/deutsc…
Die angekündigte Zäsur für die deutsche Aussenpolitik fällt zögerlich aus. Es scheint, als sei die 🚦 vor allem darum bemüht, sich und ihrer Wählerschaft so wenig Zäsur wie möglich zuzumuten. D folgt dem europäischen Geleitzug; und zwar oft erst dann, wenn nicht mehr anders geht.
Dabei wäre jetzt der richtige Augenblick, dort weiterzumachen, wo die Rede aufgehört hat, und klar zu kommunizieren, was es tatsächlich heisst, ein freies und offenes, gerechtes und friedliches Europa zu verteidigen. Für mich heißt das vor allem:
When looking at our latest data poll @markhleonard and I thought the results for Germany were really striking. There is no danger of Germany leaving the EU or of a Eurosceptic party winning the chancellery in this year’s parliamentary election. But we are worried. A 🧵
German political elites should be aware that the support for the 🇪🇺 project is dwindling and that they cannot take it for granted. More than 15 months after the coronavirus crisis hit, many Germans have started asking themselves if they would be better off bowling alone.
Sure, timing of the survey plays a role. In April, Germans were under the impression that the EU was failing to vaccinate its citizens in a timely manner. But we warn against taking it lightly. Germany has the largest increase in the belief that EU integration has gone too far.
Today is a big day for me. Since the beginning of April, we at @ECFRBerlin have been working on a new project. Re:shape Global Europe seeks to develop new strategies for Europeans to understand and engage with the changing international order. Today we launch first results. A🧵
In a data-based study, we wanted to find out how Europeans see themselves and their role in the world. We did an opinion poll in 12 EU countries which, collectively, comprise more than 350 million European citizens and account for more than 80 per cent of the EU’s GDP.
Together with the fantastic @sd270 I wrote a policy brief about our findings and the European crisis of confidence as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic: ecfr.eu/publication/cr…
CDU candidate for chancellor @ArminLaschet gives a keynote speech at @KASonline on foreign policy today. He begins by identifying an international epochal change: rise of China, new technologies, disregard for international law and populist movements, polypandemic, climate change
.@ArminLaschet says we must not only react to crises, but act in a forward-looking manner. Proposes a National Security Council to position Germany more strategically. This is the first time the proposal has come from someone who might have the power to implement it. @ischinger
Wants a "national security strategy" too. Broadly dicussed in the Bundestag.