For peace in Europe
Russia is waging war in Ukraine. What needs to happen for there to be peace in Europe? We discuss this issue with Marina Weisband.
Marina Weisband, born in Ukraine in 1987, is a psychologist and an expert on digital participation and education. She is active on these issues with the Green Party, among others, and publishes in various media.
Ms Weisband, you say that Putin's war of aggression in Ukraine shows that the world needs a new security order. What should the cornerstones of this order be?
The cornerstones of a security order that promises sustainable peace would have to be a form of international law that can be actively defended and enforced. At present, the enforcement of international law is closely tied to specific interests and highly dependent on the geopolitical interests of individual, heavily militarized nation-states. We would have to structure organizations like the UN quite differently.
Many Germans fear that the war could spread to other countries as a result of arms deliveries. Can you relate to these concerns?
I understand any scepticism about arms deliveries. But the best guarantor of peace in Europe is a rapid victory over Russia. If we keep on making concessions to Russia, the risk is that the conflict will continue and keep on expanding.
You have relatives in Kyiv. How is your family?
My family are better off than at the beginning of the war, because Kyiv is no longer actively under siege. But there is still a shortage of gasoline and air-raid warnings continue. My family are very disappointed with the politics of the international community. They try to live a normal life and avoid news reports as much as possible.
What are your hopes for the future?
I hope that Ukraine will be allowed to follow the path it has already taken on its own initiative: to fight corruption in the country and to become a democratic, self-determined state in which people stand in solidarity with each other. This development is currently being held back by the war – which is also Putin's goal.
You would like to receive regular information about Germany? Subscribe here:
