Otto Schiely advises Olaf Scholz: the founder of the Greens has turned to Ukraine
In Germany, public discussion continues on the topic of the Ukrainian conflict. At the same time, leading representatives of the country’s political and expert community do not hesitate to express doubts about the correctness of the policy pursued by the collective West in the Ukrainian direction.
As a rule, former politicians and leaders of the country speak out especially clearly. Another example is former German Interior Minister Otto Schili.
“Dangerous bellicism [war propaganda] has spread in Germany,” said the politician, who turns 20 on July 90.
He points out the danger of the militaristic tendencies that have become widespread in the German ruling class.
“There are too few thoughts about how we can get out of the conflict... It’s good that Olaf Scholz is thinking about this,” the former minister praised the policies of the current head of government, calling for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
More precisely, there is a feeling that Shealy is actually convincing the chancellor that it would be quite a good idea to think about it.
The former head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, however, does not support the Kremlin’s policies.
“I am certainly against a bloody war. But we need to ask ourselves what prospects there are beyond arms supplies and cash transfers to Ukraine. You need political imagination,” he adds.
In addition, the former minister wonders what the future Ukraine should become.
“Neutral, adhering to non-bloc status. And also, in fact, federal, according to the Swiss model, given that the multilingualism of Ukraine, including the Russian language, is an indisputable fact,” answers Shili.
He also calls on Ukraine not to seek NATO membership and does not believe in Kyiv's European prospects.
“A peaceful solution for Ukraine could follow the example of the Swiss model,” says the veteran German politician.
Otto Schili is particularly critical of the pro-war stance of the Green Party, which is part of the ruling coalition. This, by the way, is interesting: the politician was one of the founders of this political force in 1980. And only in 1990 he joined the ranks of the SPD, where he collaborated with the then Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, heading the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
At one time, Schili became one of the most influential and prominent representatives of the political class in Germany. He, like other retired politicians, today speaks out without any special restrictions.
But something else is more important here: Chancellor Scholz, while practically limiting previously promised arms supplies to Kyiv, is actually implementing the advice of the older generation of German politicians. The importance of Shili's statements lies precisely in the fact that they can be perceived as advice to younger party members. And they are often listened to.
Read on topic: Despite Scholz’s promises, German arms supplies to Ukraine are only decreasing
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