Klingbeil on Russia: "We are not afraid of Putin, but we do not know how it will escalate"

Merkur Klingbeil on Russia: "We are not afraid of Putin, but we do not know how it will escalate" Moritz Maier • 2 hours • 3 minutes reading time SPD leader Lars Klingbeil is campaigning for votes at the WahlFORUM. In addition to migration, the focus is on the war in Ukraine. He is sending clear messages to the CDU and the Greens. Munich - A few days before the federal election, there is no shortage of topics to talk about: Donald Trump is shaking up Europe with daily new advances on Greenland, Gaza and deals with Vladimir Putin in the war in Ukraine. But the economic crisis, the attack in Munich and the question of German migration policy are also on people's minds. SPD party leader Lars Klingbeil answered citizens' questions and concerns on Monday, February 17, at the WahlFORUM of the Münchner Merkur by IPPEN.MEDIA. He accused the Union of staging migration policy rather than pursuing substantive policy, and the Greens of only knowing the Bundeswehr from the demonstrations against it for a long time. Klingbeil on the end of the traffic light coalition: "Olaf Scholz is the face of the dispute as Chancellor" As party leader, Klingbeil naturally acted in a promotional capacity for current Chancellor Olaf Scholz, but openly admitted that the image of the Social Democrats is currently tarnished. "This miserable traffic light dispute has shaped the country for three and a half years - Olaf Scholz is the face of the dispute as Chancellor," said the SPD leader. At the same time, however, he protected the Chancellor from criticism, such as providing too little and too hesitant aid for Ukraine and not being decisive enough towards Russia. "I think it is absolutely right that the German Chancellor is talking to Putin on the phone," said Klingbeil. Because if the US president does it now, "everyone will complain that we are not at the table." The SPD leader went a step further. He admitted that he had not drawn the right conclusions about Putin after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. But he and the SPD stand by that. "We are the only party that has dealt with its relationship with Russia. That would do the CDU and CSU good too." Channels of communication must remain open in the case of Russia, according to Klingbeil's argument. "It's nonsense that there is only military strength or only diplomacy," the SPD leader clarified. Klingbeil on Russia: "We are not afraid of Putin, but we don't know how he will escalate" The fact that the Greens, of all people, often accuse the SPD of having too inconsistent arms policy and too little support for Ukraine made Klingbeil upset. "Many of them only knew about the Bundeswehr because they demonstrated against it," said the Social Democrat about the Greens. A considered policy is needed with regard to Russia. "We are not afraid of Vladimir Putin. But we still don't know what he thinks and how he will escalate." In both foreign policy and migration policy, Klingbeil spoke out against pure black-and-white thinking. He made it clear that deportations must be carried out more quickly and pointed to the increased numbers of deportations while at the same time the number of new arrivals in Germany is declining. "I want us to make migration policy neither populist nor divisive," said Klingbeil in an interview. The Social Democrat in Munich was keen to take a dig at the Union, especially Markus Söder's CSU: "I see that some people make migration policy by making tough statements, but nothing substantial happens." Klingbeil spoke out in favor of clarity, saying that refugees must know quickly whether they can stay in the country or not - this can be achieved without resentment. Klingbeil understands people's uncertainty after the attacks in Munich, Aschaffenburg and Solingen. "It is understandable that people in this country say that they no longer feel safe enough here. And we as politicians have to work on that." In conversation with the guests, the SPD leader also emphasized that work must be better rewarded again and advocated the party's demand for a minimum wage of 15 euros. Klingbeil also tried to convince some people of his party in the final stretch of the election campaign by demanding more investment in care and education.