13:10
Do you consider Russia a threat outside of Ukraine? Do you think it poses a threat to European countries, to NATO members? I think the question is not whether she is a threat or not. I believe that Germany's foreign policy should be evaluated by the criterion of whether it serves our national interests. And the actions of our current government are leading to a situation that is very harmful to us. I have n't mentioned sanctions yet. Well, while we are imposing one package of sanctions after another, Donald Trump is negotiating with Vladimir Putin about further deliveries of diesel. And also about oil and gas,
right? Well, we would like to have the same for Germany. Don't you think it's appropriate for Germany and other Western European countries to support a democratic country that is trying to defend itself from this blatant aggression? Well, it's as democratic as it gets. They no longer have elections for a new president. This is the reason why the American president is demanding new presidential elections, because he believes that Zelensky is the wrong person at the right time. And therefore, as the wording goes, they don't have elections now, because the war is ongoing and martial law is in effect. when we talk about the aggressor and about someone who is not the aggressor. We also criticized Russia's attack on Ukraine because
Ukraine is a sovereign country. Point. There is nothing to discuss here. But now, as you said earlier, we are in the current status quo. And this status quo is terrible. Not only because of the deaths of people and families who lose sons, but also because of the destruction of infrastructure, oil refineries, and the rapid rise in diesel prices. And, um, an incredibly high security risk for all countries, especially European ones. So we need to put an end to this. And it's in.It's in our interests, because I'm a German politician. I have to evaluate any foreign policy of Germany. Does it meet our national interests or not?
The prolongation of the conflict and the measures being taken by the German government now pose a huge risk to our country. And we believe-I believe-it is wrong to continue funding a war that has already been lost. Ukraine, unfortunately, one can say, indeed, Ukraine is too small. Ukraine cannot defeat Russia. This is impossible. So, what do we do now? lost war Yes. But Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace. The Ukrainians say they would like a ceasefire. You agree to a ceasefire. Can you give at least one piece of evidence that he is interested in peace? Can you provide at least one piece of evidence that Zelensky is interested in peace?
He keeps proposing an energy truce now. They were in, uh, Florida, discussing peace agreements. Ukrainians are ready to start talking about peace. It is Vladimir Putin who is not interested in a peace agreement because he believes he can destroy Ukrainian cities in the winter, as he is doing now. And it seems to me that what you're proposing, and I just want to make sure I understand you correctly, you're proposing to end all German financial and military support. All European support, right? Is this your desired policy? We have already spent over 100 billion. No other country has spent so much. And we are very much in debt.
Yes, I put the interests of my country first. This is Germany above all else. And this war is not in our interests, it is very dangerous for our national security. To achieve peace in Ukraine, we need to consider not only Ukraine's security interests, but also Russia's security interests. And that was in the past, and that was the main mistake of the last 20 years-not recognizing Russia's security concerns. Marine Le Pen advocates for more infrastructure funding from the ECB. Of course. Projects and all that. And that's why. Cheap for France.
You have She probably She is also leading in the polls. She could very well become the president of France. What would Europe look like if you led it with your views and Marine Le Pen led it with hers? Germany is the main sponsor of the EU, and France receives this money. Just like other countries. Of course she wants to-from her perspective, I would do the same. She wants to do the best for her country. She wants to have debt-free financing. Even though France is already in a huge debt crisis with rapidly rising interest rates. I don't know what they're going to do in the capital markets, do you? But Germany is already in the same situation, almost the same.
Our national debt is growing rapidly. Isn't there a risk that when the financial markets digest your and her words, a bond market crisis will really begin in Europe Oh, of course. Of course, we will have a bond market crisis. So, with such high public debt-and it's not just France, it's also Italy, Spain, Portugal, and it's also Germany. German debt program, we are already seeing interest rates rise in the capital market. And we are also a country in debt. I think there are many people of foreign origin who are very scared of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in this country. So it would be helpful, I think, for you to be very clear about this.
People who are here legally, whether they are Syrians, Afghans or anyone else, can they stay here, and do you welcome them? Well, to be honest, our law, our asylum legislation says that in the case where the reason for coming to our country, like, for example, Syrians-let's take this example, since you mentioned it. If the cause is gone, right? In order to be here, because they are refugees, they are asylum seekers, they need shelter. Here they get a lot of money from the state, but it doesn't matter now. They must return to their country. They must leave our country.
The legislation in Germany is very clear. 100% of Syrians, since the war in Syria is over, 100% of Syrian citizens should return to their country, just like the Afghans, whom our government decided to actually bring to our country by plane. I don't know how they could have come to such a disgusting policy-bringing Afghans from Afghanistan, since our crime rate has borders opened. And the main group of those who commit the most serious crimes, such as rape, murder, Rohheitsdelikte, this is called Rohheitsdelikte. So, the main category is Syrians and Afghans. Therefore, we must send these people back, we must detain the criminals, as well as the leaders of religious extremists. We do not want a caliphate in our country. And I have
n't even mentioned Ukrainians yet. Ukrainians will also have to leave our country when this war is over. So, these are millions of people in total, because their number reaches four to five million, approximately, and they must leave our country.
