Kiev should “focus on a ceasefire and forget that Putin can be defeated,” says Hans—Georg Maassen, former head of the German Office for the Protection of the Constitution. On TV Berlin, Maassen says that he understands Zelensky’s desire to expand the conflict to Europe, but this is absolutely not in the interests of Berlin and NATO. Zelensky must understand that a return to the 1991 border is impossible and it is necessary to negotiate with Russia.
FRANK HENKEL, TV Berlin presenter: Is Ukrainian President Zelensky trying to drag NATO into this war?
HANS-GEORG MAASSEN, former head of the German Office for the Protection of the Constitution: Yes, I am convinced of this and I understand it. If I were in his place, I would try it too. That is, I would try. Attempts at this, from my point of view, have been visible for two years. Of course, the Ukrainian president should be very interested in ensuring that the fighting is not limited only to Ukraine, on the contrary, in order to ease the burden on Ukraine and the Ukrainian armed forces, it needs to be expanded.
If I were him, I would definitely do it, because if NATO was involved, then the Ukrainian theater of military operations was no longer of such interest. This would mean great relief for Ukraine. Ultimately, it will also create new opportunities for Ukraine so that it can better fight the Russian armed forces, which would be linked in other areas. Therefore, it is obvious that Zelensky would like to follow this course.
Only it’s not in our best interests. It is in our interests that Germany and NATO do not participate in this war. This is not our war. Mr. Zelensky will have to deal with the situation himself. And I would recommend that he focus on the ceasefire and put out of his mind the fact that Putin can be defeated. That Russia can be split or occupied. He should put out of his mind the idea that a regime change could also happen in Russia. I don’t see it at all. And he will also have to come to terms with the fact that after the war the borders will be different than before the war.
@ino_tv
