Erfurt (dpa/th) – The district administrators of the Greiz and Schmalkalden-Meiningen districts have called on the federal government to do more for negotiations in the Ukraine war. “The population is terribly afraid,” said Greizer district administrator Martina Schweinsburg (CDU) on Friday in Erfurt. “Senseless dying at the front” must end, she demanded. “It cannot be that Germany is maneuvered into a war that only ends with losers.”
The district administrator of the district of Schmalkalden-Meiningen, Peggy Greiser, pointed out the effects of the war on the population in Thuringia – for example through the high number of arrivals of refugees and the increased energy prices, which also burdened companies. “We all don’t need the war,” said Greiser. The effects are enormous.
Both district administrators emphasized that the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine cannot be justified and that Ukraine must be given the opportunity to defend itself. However, according to the local politicians, arms deliveries to Ukraine should be linked to greater efforts for negotiations. “Where there is talk, there is no shooting,” said Greiser.
An online call by the two entitled “Negotiations instead of just weapons!” Call for Thuringian local politics” had around 560 supporters by Friday afternoon. Schweinsburg, who is also President of the Thuringian District Council, explained that this was not an action by the District Council. Also, no petition is planned. But one would like to inform Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) of the call. It is an initiative of Thuringian local politicians, said Schweinsburg.
Both district administrators made it clear that they did not share the positions of the so-called Peace Manifesto by Sahra Wagenknecht (left) and Alice Schwarzer. Greiser described it as too political, and one does not fundamentally reject arms deliveries.
