Engin Eroglu: Germany Must Demonstrate Strength to Putin

• 24.12.2025, 12:01

The time for trusting the Kremlin is over.

German MEP and Chair of the EU–China Inter-Parliamentary Delegation Engin Eroglu told Charter97.org in an interview how Berlin assesses the threats posed by China and Russia, offered a recipe for responding to Putin’s aggression, and explained how Germany can help Ukraine.

— How do you see China's role in the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine?

— Since China supplies goods from Hong Kong that Russia urgently needs for the war against Ukraine, China automatically plays a major role.

— If Trump and Putin manage to freeze the war in Ukraine, how safe is the Eastern flank of the EU, particularly for Poland and the Baltic states?

— Regardless of Putin's intentions, the EU, its member states, and NATO have only a limited window of opportunity to strengthen themselves as much as possible and deter any potential provocation or confrontation with Russia. I do not believe that freezing the conflict will allow us to have more amicable relations with Russia until Russia acknowledges its guilt, releases the abducted children, and makes reparations payments to Ukraine.

— Looking 5-10 years ahead, is Russian attack on Germany a real possibility which requires preparation, resources allocation and investments already today?

—An attack on Germany would automatically be an attack on the European Union and NATO. We must, together with our allies, ensure our defense capabilities are so robust that this never happens.

— You've stated that Putin is killing people since 1999. Speaking in general, how to stop the dictator with growing global ambitions who conducts wars of aggression for more than a quarter of a century.

— Strength and decisive action are the only way to show an autocratic state its limits. We must demonstrate to Russia that we will not be intimidated. I can only recommend that all third-party states bordering Russia invest significantly in their defense and seek allies, as Russia, under Putin, has been waging wars since 1999 to maintain its own system.

— Taking into account today's realities and the diminishing influence of the USA in Europe, what role should Germany play in negotiating any eventual peace settlement, and how can Berlin help ensure that such a settlement respects Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty while preventing future Russian aggression?

— Russia has destroyed all trust, and the time for faith is over. The daily images of recent years speak volumes. Following a potential peace agreement, Germany can provide swift assistance in reviving the Ukrainian economy. Ukraine must be able to generate prosperity for its own people as quickly as possible and, through its own economic strength, significantly increase its military capabilities to bolster its defenses.