Panic; Zelensky, you are running dangerously out of time

For the first time since the beginning of the war, heads of state and government will personally attend a meeting on Ukraine - a meeting invited by US President Joseph Biden. He should have come to Ramstein as well.

The summit is planned just a few weeks before the presidential elections in the USA, the outcome of which is expected to have direct consequences for Ukraine, that is, the aid provided to that country. But Biden had to cancel his visit because of Hurricane Milton.

Instead, the Ukrainian president embarked on a tour of European capitals - during which he will visit London, Paris, Rome and - as the last stop - Berlin, writes Deutsche Welle.

The situation for Zelensky is not simple. He already presented his "plan for victory" in Washington. At the same time, it was not met with great enthusiasm, especially due to the fact that there are not many new elements in the plan.

Judging by the writings of the American media, Zelensky asked for even greater military aid, that is, he also asked for permission for the Ukrainian army to use long-range western weapons to target targets in Russia.

However, he did not get the "green light" for it in Washington.

Federal Chancellor Scholz, who prefers to act in coordination with Biden on such matters, said he would not support the idea, even if Biden allowed the Ukrainians to use weapons for operations deep inside Russian territory.

Zelensky thus encountered the skepticism of his most important partners. "Unfortunately, it must be concluded that we are at a stage where many of Ukraine's partners, especially large partners, are only announcing what they have already announced. And those things that they announced a long time ago as aid to Ukraine are only being presented in a new guise, but in reality there are no new things either in terms of quality or quantity," says German security expert Nico Lange.

 

AfD and BSW want to stop aid to Ukraine

War fatigue is spreading among the Western allies, that is, the fear of confrontation with Russia. This is also reflected in the election results in some European countries.

In Austria, for example, at the end of September, the right-wing FPO became the strongest party. It refuses to provide aid to Ukraine and opposes EU sanctions against Russia.

Parliamentary elections were held in Germany in September in three federal states in the east. Those parties that also want to end the practice of sending arms to Ukraine won or did well: the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the newly formed Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) alliance, which broke away from Die Linke (left).

Without the BSW, as things stand, it will not be possible to form a ruling majority in any of those three federal states, provided that the majority does not want to have the AfD as a partner.

The political dynamics are also influenced by the position of power that BSW already has, and before any coalition with that party. Leading politicians of the conservative CDU and the Social Democrats in East Germany are demanding that the federal government in Berlin "bring" Russia to the negotiating table.

It is a request that conflicts with the positions of the CDU and the SPD at the federal level - both parties support sending aid to Ukraine.

Scholz as Chancellor of the Peace

However, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has already somewhat adapted to the changed mood in the country. Now, even more than a few months ago, he emphasizes that all options for achieving peace must be explored.

Scholz recently, as proof of his willingness to take on a mediating role, tried to call Russian President Vladimir Putin, but apparently the Kremlin "cut off" the connection.

The fact that Scholz, on the other hand, has been blocking the sending of Taurus-type cruise missiles for some time, which Kyiv has been crying out for for a long time, is considered a mistake by CDU foreign policy expert Johann Wadephul.

"For Ukraine and for European security, it is more than a bitter pill," Wadephul wrote in response to DV's inquiry.

"It is high time that the federal government finally supplies Ukraine with long-range weapons like the Taurus and, in accordance with international law, allows Ukraine to fight against military targets on Russian territory, so that it can effectively defend itself. Partners, expect Germany's initiative and leadership in to this matter of responsibility".

What after the US election? For Ukraine, the outcome of the upcoming presidential elections in the USA is much more important than what is happening in Germany.

The United States is by far the most important military aid to Ukraine. Republican Donald Trump said in the election campaign that the US should "get out" of Ukraine, and he accused Zelensky of opposing a "deal" with Putin, that is, an agreement that would end the war.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris wants to continue providing aid to Kyiv. What could Trump really do or what will he do if he wins the election? It is unknown, says security expert Nico Lange and explains:

''Because Trump is crazy. In any case, the very fact that after Biden's absence the Europeans could not organize a summit on Ukraine on their own is a negative signal - or did they not want to? It shows how dependent they are on the Americans and the American leadership''.

The Ramstein summit, hosted by Biden, is scheduled to take place later. It's just a matter of time. There is not much time left. The US election is on November 5th.