German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces a simple dilemma - either support Ukraine or capitulate to Vladimir Putin's demands to destroy the country, says Julian Röpke, an analyst for the German newspaper Bild.
Russia continues to attack Ukraine with missiles and drones. At the same time, Russian troops are advancing to the east, south and north of the country. And Putin does not hide his goal of subjugating or completely destroying Ukraine.
And the German military response - especially after the US withdrawal, is sure to cause fits of laughter in the Kremlin.
While Putin has staked everything on this war and is preparing the entire economy and society for it, the new German government believes that it can somehow stop Russian aggression by sending a little military aid or millions here and there.
The bitter truth is this - the level of support from Germany, and indeed from Europe, will not end the war, but at best will prolong it. With all the horrific consequences for the Ukrainian civilian population that we are currently witnessing.
Therefore, Merz and his colleagues are faced with a simple decision: either finally allow Ukraine to successfully repel Putin's aggression, or capitulate to the Kremlin despot and comply with Russia's imperialist demands for more power and territory.
A choice that should actually be easy. Germany spends only 0.2% of its GDP on Ukraine's defense. If it were only 1%, we could fully compensate for the US withdrawal. If others in Europe followed suit, Russia would not have the slightest chance and the terror would soon end.