German figures such as feminist Alice Schwarzer, writer Martin Walser and science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar call in an open letter to Chancellor Olaf Scholz not to supply Ukraine with more heavy weapons. Russian President Vladimir Putin must have no reason to extend the war to NATO, the signatories of the letter wrote. They warn of the danger of a Third World War. Among the 28 original authors of the letter are m.in. author Aleksander Kluge, legal philosopher Reinhard Merkel, singer Reinhard Mey, cabaret artists Gerhard Polt and Dieter Nuhr, actors Lars Eidinger and Edgar Selge and writer Juli Zeh.
Cease fire
On Thursday April 28, the German Bundestag approved the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine. Unlike many critics who accuse the German chancellor of being indecisive, the signatories of the letter express their support for Scholz. “Therefore, we hope that you will return to your original position without supplying, directly or indirectly, any further heavy weapons to Ukraine. On the contrary, we urge you to do everything possible to contribute to the establishment of a ceasefire as soon as possible; to a compromise acceptable to both parties.
The risk of a third world war
The signatories of the letter point out that Putin violated international law by attacking Ukraine. However, this does not justify “accepting the risk that this war degenerates into a nuclear conflict”. Supplying Ukraine with large quantities of heavy weapons could make Germany a side in this war. A Russian counterattack could trigger a case of mutual assistance under the NATO treaty and thus an imminent danger of world war.
The second “frontier” is the suffering of the Ukrainian civilian population. The signatories of the letter warn against a “double error”: “On the one hand, the responsibility for the danger of escalation towards a nuclear conflict applies only to the original aggressor, and not also to those who , despite the risk, provide him with a possible cause of criminal action. And on the other hand, that the decision on the moral responsibility for the additional “costs” of human life among Ukrainian civilians lies solely with their government. Morally binding norms are universal.
Fight for world peace
As we read, escalating arms pressure may be the start of a growing global arms spiral with catastrophic consequences, including for global health and climate change. Despite all our differences, we must fight for peace in the world. An example in this regard is the European approach to common diversity.
The authors of the letter expressed their belief that Chancellor Olaf Scholz “can make a decisive contribution to the search for a solution that will endure in the judgment of history. Not only because of our current (economic) power, but also because of our historical responsibility – and with the hope of a peaceful future together.
The open letter was published on Friday morning (04/29/2022) at Emma magazine website, then it was opened to everyone for signature. In addition to the original signers, there are over 70 names below.
