Milbradt sees Germany as insufficiently protected militarily

The former CDU Prime Minister of Saxony and Ukraine advisor Georg Milbradt believes that Germany is inadequately protected in the event of war. Despite the turnaround proclaimed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), the Bundeswehr is hardly in a better position to defend itself today than it will be in 2022, said the 79-year-old in an interview with the Chemnitz newspaper "Freie Presse". "But it's not just about providing money anyway, we have to focus on acquiring military capabilities."

Population in Germany no longer protected against air attacks

"Germany has around 300 tanks, of which probably only a good half work. The American forces stationed in Germany have 300 tanks that are immediately operational. In 2011, Germany decided to dispense with air defense. Since then, the civilian population has no longer been protected against air strikes," explained Milbradt. In contrast to Ukraine, many bunkers and protective facilities have been almost completely dismantled in Germany since 1990.

Milbradt: Ukrainians feel betrayed

Milbradt has been the German government's special representative for administrative modernization in Ukraine since 2017. He considers the US approach to negotiations with Russia to end the war to be fatal. "The Ukrainians feel betrayed. Above all, they are shocked that the possible Ukrainian negotiating points have already been anticipated: no security guarantees from the USA, no accession to NATO, loss of territories and negotiations without them."

Ukrainians could turn away from the West in disappointment

According to Milbradt, the negotiations must not lead to a more or less unconditional surrender of Ukraine. "I also see the following danger: if the Ukrainians are abandoned by America as victims of Russian aggression, their previous approval of the West could quickly turn into despair and disappointment. The message for all other countries would then be the same: It's not worth backing the West, but rather going over to the Russian side early on."