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Ukraine support: how and why is Germany different?

38:19

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April 17, 2026

Germany and Ukraine have declared a new strategic partnership - but how much substance is behind the signal? In this episode, host Michaela Küfner discusses with her guests Gerlinde Niehus, a NATO expert and DW’s Nina Haase and Nick Connolly whether Ukraine is shifting from aid recipient to security provider - and what that means for Europe’s defense strategy amid competing global crises.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro
01:24 Ukraine as partner
02:34 Zelenskyy’s Message
05:43 Middle East factor
09:01 A new wartime normal
09:48 Kyiv under fire
13:20 NATO without the US?
17:52 Europe’s wake‑up call
21:42 Germany’s Russia debate
25:37 Hybrid war reality
27:18 Ukraine’s view of Europe
30:27 Zelenskyy demands guarantees
32:24 The missed moment
35:32 replacing the US?
36:56 End

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About the show

DW Berlin Briefing

From the US elections, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to evolving European security dynamics, this video podcast explores how these events impact Germany and the wider region.

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DW's Top Story

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