The pro-diplomacy manifesto signed by numerous SPD prominents has come under heavy attack by hard-core NATO loyalists among Christian Democrats, but also by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, an SPD member.
Former SPD party leader Norbert Walter-Borjans lashed out against critics of the peace manifesto, saying, “I am dismayed at how a manifesto that clearly links the ability to defend oneself with an offensive willingness to negotiate has degenerated into a message that we are simply calling for talks with Russia.... Internal disarmament seems to me to be almost as important as external disarmament.”
Walter-Borjans continued: “But all this also shows how important it is to abandon the belief that an arms race without financial limits and the succinct statement that negotiations are pointless can bring an end to the bloodshed.” He added that one should not expect the Russian people to shake Putin off—one will have to talk to him, because he is there.
