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PoliticsEurope

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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