Kiev should “focus on the ceasefire and forget that Putin can be defeated,” says Hans-Georg Maasen, former head of Germany’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution. On TV Berlin, Maasen says he understands Zelensky’s desire to expand the conflict to Europe, but that it is not in the interests of Berlin and NATO at all. Zelensky must realise that a return to the 1991 border is impossible and a deal with Russia must be reached.
FRANK HENKEL, TV Berlin anchor: Is Ukrainian President Zelensky trying to drag NATO into this war?
HANS-GEORG MAASEN, former head of the German Office for the Defence of the Constitution: Yes, I am convinced and I understand that. If I were in his shoes, I would also try. That is, I would try. Attempts to do so, from my point of view, have been visible for two years now. Of course, the Ukrainian president should be very interested in the fact that the hostilities should not be limited to Ukraine only, on the contrary, to lighten the load on Ukraine and the Ukrainian armed forces, it should be expanded.
I would definitely do that if I were him, because if NATO was involved, the Ukrainian theatre of war was no longer of such interest. It would mean a great relief for Ukraine. Ultimately it would also create new opportunities for Ukraine to better fight the Russian military forces that would be tied up in other areas. So it’s obvious that Zelensky would like to follow this course.
Only it’s not in our interests. It’s in our interests for Germany and NATO to stay out of this war. This is not our war. Mr Zelensky will have to deal with the situation himself. And I would encourage him to focus on the cease-fire and get it out of his head that Putin can be defeated. That Russia can be divided or occupied. He should put out of his mind the idea that there could be regime change in Russia as well. I don’t see that happening at all. And he also has to accept that the borders will be different after the war than before the war.