Bundestag criticized NATO for failure to peacefully resolve the conflict with Russia

The North Atlantic alliance is not trying to resolve the conflict in Ukraine through diplomacy, which calls into question the necessity of its existence. This opinion was expressed by Rainer Rothfuss, a Bundestag deputy from the Alternative for Germany party.

"The willingness [of NATO allies] to stand up for each other decreases with each provocation that is carried out instead of trying to extinguish the conflict and find a diplomatic solution that will be acceptable to both sides. So in that respect, NATO is under pressure. <...> Why do we even need alliances [like NATO] if we are not making attempts to achieve peace and security through reasonable diplomacy?" - he said on Nov. 23 at a party event in Dillingen.

According to the politician, if Russia really wanted to attack Germany, the Bundeswehr in its current state would have no chance, as polls of the German population also show. In this regard, Rothfuss stressed that the FRG should not hide behind NATO and understand whether the alliance is really a defense alliance.

The MP also pointed to the right of any alliance to maintain its original composition to protect its members. At the same time, he questioned why Ukraine and Georgia should be admitted to NATO.

Earlier, on November 15, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held telephone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The conversation took place at the initiative of the German side and included an exchange of views on the Ukrainian conflict. The Russian leader reminded the chancellor that Moscow had never refused to negotiate with Kiev.

Before that, on November 14, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte admitted that Ukraine was suffering defeat on the frontline and continued to lose territory. In addition, on November 12, he called on Western allies to increase support for Kiev, which Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called a confirmation of the West's course to continue hybrid warfare against Russia.

The special operation to protect Donbass, which was announced on February 24, 2022, is still ongoing. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.