Victor Pinchuk Foundation and YES held discussion “Exit Poll: What German Elections Mean for Ukraine, Europe, the World” during the YES Special Gathering in Kyiv “Three Years — Time to Win”

On 24 February 2025, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and Yalta European Strategy (YES) held a discussion  “Exit Poll: What German Elections Mean for Ukraine, Europe, the World” on the occasion of the YES Special Gathering  in Kyiv “Three Years — Time to Win” dedicated to the third anniversary of Russia’s brutal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Politicians and experts discussed strategies for securing Ukraine in a changing world.

Mathias Döpfner, CEO, Axel Springer, entrepreneur and publisher of Der Spiegel and Politico, speaking on line from Berlin, where he has been covering the German election, said in summary, “The result of the German election was ambivalent. It is not an outcome that empowers bold changes. Merz has three coalition options, AfD, which is not going to happen, social democrats and greens, or a grand coalition with the social democrats. The negative result of this is that with the SPD as a coalition partner, there is less engagement and less commitment to defence ‘whatever it costs’, towards Russia. On the positive side, the Greens, in opposition, are not unanimously against all initiatives with regard to military support and a stronger European defence concept.”

He continued, “Friedrich Merz was one of the few who said support for Ukraine is unconditional and we have to do more. And that is surprisingly the subject of consensus between the CDU and the Greens.” 

“Scholz will not play a role in the new government. It is more likely that the defense Minister David Pistorius will play an important role, perhaps even as vice-chancellor. I think, if we get to this “constellation”, it should be a reason why Germany could become a more reliable and more courageous driver of more support for Ukraine in the EU. Germany could and should play a bigger role here and I think there is a basis to build on.”

“The strategic alliance of NATO and between Europe and America, is the foundation of the defense of our values. The growing dependency of Germany on Russian energy strengthened and financed the Putin we now have to deal with. That was an incredible strategic mistake. The lesson is that we should always see the overriding goal, and that is this alliance. I would not give up too early. I would try to make sure that alliance remains intact.”

Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden (2006-2014); Prime Minister of Sweden (1991-1994); Member, YES Board, stated: “Friedrich Merz has been very explicit on his wish to take on a leadership role in the European Union. And with a stable government, there's no doubt that Berlin will be an even more important place in the years ahead on these issues. Phrases that we used to hear coming out of Paris, are now coming out of Berlin.”

Michael Gahler, Member of European Parliament, Standing Rapporteur on Ukraine, European People's Party, commented: “There is a huge challenge for mainstream parties to address the issues that voters have identified and want solutions for. The issue of Ukraine only came up in the very last days of the election with Trump’s betrayal of Ukraine. We should have addressed it proactively from the outset.”

Photos are available here

Video is available here