GERMANY - Nowhere has the change in policy been so stark as in Germany, where decades of policy have been cast aside virtually overnight. War has firmly united the transatlantic alliance. Germany’s decision to prioritize energy security over climate goals speaks volumes. Russia has awakened Germany from its slumber. Berlin is finally taking steps to assume a role within NATO commensurate with its economic and political clout.
Chancellor Schölz explained these policy changes: “This is a major national undertaking. The goal is a powerful, cutting-edge, progressive Bundeswehr that can be relied upon to protect us.”The final taboo to fall was Germany’s insistence that it would not supply Ukraine with lethal aid. On Saturday, Politico reported that Germany would “send 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger anti-aircraft defense systems to Ukraine."
The government has also authorized the Netherlands to "send Ukraine 400 rocket-propelled grenade launchers and told Estonia it could ship over nine howitzers.” Germany had previously blocked the shipment of the German-origin howitzers to Ukraine.
For Germany, making any one of the policy changes mentioned above would be considered incredibly significant. For the government to take them all, in quick succession, is nothing less than a political sea change.