, Columnist
Is Germany Letting Ukraine Down? It’s Not That Simple
A revolution in Germans’ military outlook will only go so far, so fast. Given history, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Scholz giving Zelenskiy a hand.
Photographer: Alexey Furman/Getty Images
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What’s the matter with Germany? Ukraine and many of Berlin’s European neighbors would like to know. Germany’s foot-dragging on aid to Ukraine is threatening to solidify its reputation as a country that benefits greatly from the current global order but won’t do much to defend it.
The real story, though, is more complicated. Yes, the world needs a more assertive Germany. But the changes in German foreign policy over the past year have been historic, even if they still seem insufficient relative to the challenges of our time.