The Eastern Front
for The New York Times Magazineby Ingmar Nolting
Olaf Scholz told lawmakers that Europe is living
through a
Zeitenwende – a “turning point in history”. Putin’s decision
to perpetrate “a war of aggression in cold blood,” he said,
meant Europe would no longer be the same. Germany, he
added, must now play its full part to defend the continent.
He then announced a series of concrete plans to build up
Germany’s feeble military. Scholz‘s words marked a historic
political shift. A visit to the Bundeswehr, reservists and
military exercises.
Zeitenwende – a “turning point in history”. Putin’s decision
to perpetrate “a war of aggression in cold blood,” he said,
meant Europe would no longer be the same. Germany, he
added, must now play its full part to defend the continent.
He then announced a series of concrete plans to build up
Germany’s feeble military. Scholz‘s words marked a historic
political shift. A visit to the Bundeswehr, reservists and
military exercises.