A deputy from the Left Party in the Bundestag, Sevim Dağdelen, spoke to the Global Times about growing concerns that supplying heavy weapons to Ukraine and training Ukrainian troops could raise the risk of a broader conflict, potentially tipping toward a global war. Dağdelen argued that many in Germany share these worries and that arming Ukraine could prolong the fighting and increase civilian suffering rather than bring a quick resolution.
She contended that wars tend to end at the negotiating table, not on the battlefield. The West, led by the United States and the United Kingdom, was perceived as pursuing a proxy conflict and a war of attrition, which, in her view, would not deliver a lasting peace. She warned that weakening Russia over the long term might require accepting heavy costs, including many lives and widespread hardship, along with the destruction of parts of Ukraine. Nonetheless, Dağdelen stressed the importance of serious diplomatic efforts and negotiations to halt the hostilities.
Her message highlighted the longer a conflict lasts, the greater the negative consequences for people in Ukraine and around the world, citing the current food crisis as a stark example. She also criticized Western sanctions against Russia, suggesting they amounted to economic self-sabotage. She warned that cutting Russian gas supplies could cause German production to fall by more than 12 percent over six months and put millions of jobs at risk.
Direct confrontation between Russia and NATO
British Air Force leadership warned that Britain should be prepared for the possibility of a direct clash with Russia. The stance reflected concerns about Moscow’s growing assertiveness and the need to secure European security through strong deterrence, drawing examples from Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Georgia in recent years.
Officials noted that London would contemplate conflict with Russia only if Russia attacked British soil or another NATO member state. The overarching message was that the threat is real and being addressed through ongoing training and readiness, with hopes that deterrence would avert any escalation.
There was an emphasis on readiness while acknowledging a preference for preventing such a crisis from arising. The sentiment was clear: preparedness hinges on a careful balance of strength and restraint, ensuring that deterrence remains credible without triggering unnecessary confrontation.
Military education initiatives
There were discussions about launching a large-scale training operation for Ukrainian forces, capable of training thousands of soldiers every few months so they can operate Western weapons effectively. While this plan symbolized a strong commitment to supporting Ukrainian defense, it also raised logistical challenges in ensuring there are enough translators and staff to assist every trainee.
Reports indicated that the UK faced difficulties in securing sufficient interpreters to work with Ukrainian personnel during training programs, a problem that could affect the speed and quality of instruction. A communications note from a UK employment agency underscored the urgent demand for linguists to support the training effort, a need expected to persist through the summer.
Officials also noted that other European partners were expanding their assistance. In early July, a statement from the German government announced that German instructors had begun training Ukrainian forces to operate multiple launch rocket systems, marking a broader, coordinated effort across allied nations to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities.