Germany is gearing up for a crucial election, which coincides with the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The elections will take place just one day before Ukraine marks three years of ongoing conflict. However, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba believes that the war in Ukraine has barely featured in the German election campaign, and he is urging Europe to take Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threats seriously.

Ukraine’s War Overlooked in German Elections

As Germans prepare to cast their votes, the war in Ukraine remains an overlooked topic in the election debates. Kuleba, who has been at the forefront of Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts, believes that many Germans are too comfortable and fail to grasp how quickly war can spread. He warned that Germans, like Ukrainians, may feel safe today but should not forget how quickly the situation can change.

“They’ve forgotten how quickly that can change,” Kuleba said, recalling that Ukrainians once thought war was impossible on their soil as well. The Ukrainian people, who lived for decades under the threat of a conflict with Russia, were unprepared for the reality that unfolded in February 2022.

Despite this, Kuleba did acknowledge Germany’s growing support for Ukraine in the war. Since the beginning of the conflict, Germany, under the coalition government of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), became Ukraine’s second-largest military backer, after the United States. However, Kuleba argues that the German government’s overall response to the crisis has been inconsistent.

The Taurus Missiles Debate

One of the key issues that Kuleba raised during his recent remarks was Germany’s refusal to send Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. He argued that Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s decision not to approve the delivery of these long-range missiles has overshadowed Germany’s overall military assistance to Ukraine. According to Kuleba, “Politics works this way—you’re remembered for what you didn’t do.”

Kuleba has long lobbied for the delivery of Taurus missiles, which would help Ukraine strike deeper into Russian territory. He has criticized delays in military aid that, in his view, have directly cost Ukrainian lives. Even after his resignation from office in 2024, Germany has yet to send the missiles, and Kuleba remains frustrated by the continued hesitance of the German government to fully commit to military aid for Ukraine.

In a previous interview, Kuleba pointed out that Chancellor Scholz had initially drawn a firm red line when it came to providing Ukraine with artillery and tanks. However, after much pressure, Germany eventually sent these weapons to Ukraine. Now, Kuleba believes that Scholz’s “no” on the Taurus missiles is another example of a firm stance that has yet to be reconsidered. With the elections coming up, Kuleba questions how the next German government will respond to Ukraine’s continued requests for military aid.

Europe’s Responsibility in the War

Beyond the Taurus missile issue, Kuleba also warned that if Ukraine were to fall, Putin would not stop there. He believes that the next target for Russia would likely be NATO itself. “This isn’t fear-mongering—we will survive. But Europe must act,” Kuleba stressed. He made it clear that if Ukraine were to fall, the security of all of Europe would be at risk.

He also criticized the West for its handling of Putin over the past two decades, claiming that Western leaders failed to fully understand the Russian president’s intentions. “His goal is clear—conquer Ukraine and weaken the West,” Kuleba said. He explained that Putin has long seen Ukraine as a strategic target and believes that if he can break Ukraine, he will weaken Europe and diminish Western power.

Kuleba’s comments are part of a broader call for Europe to take more responsibility for the security of the continent. As Ukraine faces the continued threat of Russian attacks, Kuleba is urging European countries to step up their support in a more substantial way. According to him, Ukraine cannot defend itself against Russia alone, and European nations must understand the long-term consequences of failing to act decisively.

A New Chapter in Kuleba’s Life

Since stepping down as foreign minister, Kuleba has turned to academia, teaching at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University and Sciences Po in Paris. He believes that intellectual debates play a crucial role in shaping future policies, particularly those related to the ongoing war in Ukraine. “Students are more realistic than professors stuck in Cold War thinking,” Kuleba observed, emphasizing that future policymakers must be ready to adapt to the rapidly changing global landscape.

Although he has shifted his focus to education, Kuleba remains deeply involved in the Ukrainian cause. As the third anniversary of the Russian invasion approaches, he reflects on the personal toll that the war has taken on him and his country. He vividly remembers the events of February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Choosing to Fight

Kuleba recalls the night of February 24, when the invasion began. At the time, he was abroad, and many urged him to stay safe. However, he felt a deep responsibility to return to Ukraine and contribute to the defense of his country. “I never doubted my decision,” he said, highlighting the binary nature of the war—fight or surrender. Kuleba, like many other Ukrainians, chose to fight.

As Ukraine approaches another grim anniversary, the future remains uncertain, but Kuleba is confident that Ukraine will survive. However, he is also aware that Europe’s role in the outcome of this conflict is critical. In his view, if Europe fails to act decisively, the consequences will be dire, not only for Ukraine but for the entire continent.

As Germany’s election approaches and Ukraine marks the third anniversary of the war, Kuleba’s call for European leaders to take action is more urgent than ever. The war in Ukraine is not just a regional conflict but a battle for the future of Europe itself. With the support of European nations, Ukraine may yet prevail, but this requires a united and firm commitment to standing up against Russian aggression.

For more insights on the ongoing war in Ukraine and Europe’s role in it, visit Wallstreet Storys.