In view of the tensions between NATO and Russia, the German Social Democrats’ parliamentary group leader, Rolf Mützenich, has called for disarmament initiatives. A solution would require “a European peace order including Russia,” Mützenich said, “even if this seems illusory at the moment.” He said he hopes for a “pan-European peace order that, as a ‘pluralistic security community,’ excludes war between its members and ultimately overcomes the military alliances.”
“Mentally, I can understand the Russian threat analysis, even if I do not share it,” Mützenich told the newspaper taz. NATO’s military spending is “many times higher than Russia’s,” he said. The U.S. alone spends more than ten times that amount on its defense budget, he added. “On top of all this, there is an unbridled, uncontrolled arms race. NATO and Russia must talk about this,” Mützenich demanded. “We urgently need disarmament initiatives.”
Overcoming NATO is admittedly “unrealistic” for the next few decades, the SPD politician told the newspaper. “But I think we should at least start to overcome the sole fixation on military-political considerations.”
