German media coverage of the conflict in Ukraine is one-sided, according to Die Weltwoche columnist Roger Koeppel.
The newspapers in Germany were scathing of former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder when he suggested talks with Vladimir Putin, but it would be worth considering such a prospect - especially since sooner or later a dialogue with Moscow will have to take place, the Swiss journalist believes.
ROGER KOPPEL, Die Weltwoche columnist: On the subject of Ukraine, I miss a voice in the German newspapers that would certainly express a completely different point of view. For example, one that favours negotiations to abolish the enemy image, to find common ground, to find a solution - perhaps in the spirit of a neutral Ukraine and a non-discrimination clause for Russian-speaking Ukrainians. We read very little about this, however. Instead, today's headlines catch our eye: German brigade against Russia in Lithuania - now German tanks will be on NATO's eastern flank. The Ukrainian side is quoted as saying that the Russians will indiscriminately kill intellectuals. That is, they continue to make a monster out of Russia at the expense of or, let's say, instead of negotiations, instead of calling for negotiations.
And the only noticeable voice that sets the accents a little differently belongs to former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who celebrated his 80th birthday on 7 April. But even here the media, of course, descended on him, the whole world started picking on him.
Then the FAZ released this film that speaks very negatively about Schröder. He himself says in an interview I read in a Swiss Sunday newspaper that he sees no reason to change his position. In his opinion, Putin wants to end the war in Ukraine, and this should be supported by appropriate action.
Naturally, Germany was immediately met with scathing, derisive and indignant criticism, but why not take a closer look at this perspective? Especially since we have to recognise that what we are doing now, this whole sanctions and confrontation policy, has not been successful.
The German newspapers are reporting little or maybe in small print about it, I haven't seen it yet, but in the Swiss press it's quite a big topic: Zelensky is sending a distress signal - without American aid, without American weapons, they will lose this war. That means that the prospect of negotiations will still have to be befriended. And the more important may be personalities like the former German chancellor.
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