UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron advocates for military support to Ukraine in Berlin discussions, despite German concerns over escalation with Russia.
In a recent meeting in Berlin, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron articulated his view that supplying weapons to Ukraine could contribute to peace rather than exacerbate the ongoing conflict with Russia. This statement arrives amidst increasing calls for Germany to provide Taurus missiles to Ukraine, despite German concerns over potential repercussions and further escalation. Cameron underscored the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian hostilities.
The discussions between Cameron and Germany’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Annalena Baerbock, occurred during a strained period for Berlin, partially due to a leaked conversation among senior German military officials about Ukraine. Although Cameron did not directly comment on the leak, former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace raised issues regarding Germany’s reliability and security following the revelations.
Baerbock stressed the necessity for unity and determination in backing Ukraine, aiming to avert any division that Russian President Vladimir Putin might exploit. The conversation also ventured into the upcoming US elections, with Cameron asserting that both the UK and Germany would collaborate with whichever administration emerges victorious to fortify the Atlantic alliance. He encouraged European allies to build a cohesive stance on critical issues before the new U.S. president assumes office.
Separately, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has faced scrutiny for his perceived reticence toward Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron has critiqued Scholz for a lack of assertiveness, stemming from a longstanding apprehension of Russian aggression – a sentiment deeply embedded in Germany since the Red Army’s invasion of Berlin and the subsequent Soviet influence. Analyst Matthew Karnitschnig pointed out Scholz’s reluctance to provide significant military support to Ukraine, like Taurus missiles, is influenced by such fears. Despite acknowledging that withholding aid could be seen as a form of passive involvement in the conflict, Scholz has maintained a cautious stance, reflecting a wider ambivalence within Germany regarding the extent of military support for Ukraine.
