Photo : REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa
17 June 2024, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #862
By Govind Anoop
GERMANY
Lufthansa to invest in defence sector
On 16 June, Deutsche Welle reported on Lufthansa’s interests in relations with the defence industry and the maintenance of military aircraft. They are expected to do so under their subsidiary Lufthansa Technik (LHT) and it is widely considered to have prompted the Russia-Ukraine war which in turn has also resulted in billions of investments into new aircrafts. LHT is Lufthansa’s maintenance and repair subsidiary. It serves over 800 customers and has more than 20,000 employees. Much of German society disapproved of anything military for decades following the end of World War II and the fall of the Nazi dictatorship. German weaponry technology was in demand overseas, but it was also a divisive topic in German politics and society. This changed upon the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war and the announcement by the German Government to invest EUR 100 billion to strengthen the German military. The German Navy ordered five Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft at the end of June 2021; the initial phase includes their maintenance. Germany is the eighth customer to have taken delivery of a Boeing Poseidon this winter, following the United States, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, Norway, South Korea, and New Zealand. The aircraft are civilian Boeing 737s into which military systems have been installed. Lufthansa is looking into expanding its military business by participating in the helicopter and stealth bomber sectors. The expansion also looks at potential economic growth by employing Germans. LHT has also bid for NATO aircraft, thus opening opportunities for US-based contracts. (“Germany's Lufthansa eyes defense sector,” Deutsche Welle, 16 June 2024)
REGIONAL
EU to negotiate with Ukraine, Moldova for membership
On 15 June, EU ambassadors agreed to start negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova regarding their accession to the Union. Ukraine had applied for membership shortly after Russia’s invasion in February 2022 whereas its neighbour Moldova applied 4 months later. This was confirmed by the Belgian Presidency and is set to start on 25 June. While Belgium holds the EU Council of Ministers presidency, it is a rotating post and will be taken up by Hungary after 30 June. Charles Michel, president of the European Council, stated, “We keep our promises and we will support you along the way to membership.” The Council of Ministers is a legislative body; it is not the same as the European Council, which consists of the leaders of the member states. This has come after the European Commission’s demands to reduce the power of oligarchs and to ensure the rights of ethnic minorities. It is expected that candidate nations will need to undergo years of reforms before they can be admitted to the EU. Hungary will assume the rotational presidency of the Council of the European Union following Belgium. Budapest has already expressed their concerns about the European Commission's determination that Kyiv is prepared for membership negotiations and objected to EU assistance to Ukraine during Russia's war. ("EU agrees on starting membership talks with Ukraine, Moldova,” Deutsche Welle, 15 June 2024)
Researchers warn about the modernisation of nuclear weapons
On 17 June, France 24 reported on the dangers of nuclear weapons due to geopolitical tensions as per reports from researchers from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Wilfred Wan, the director of the Institute’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Program said, “We have not seen nuclear weapons playing such a prominent role in international relations since the Cold War''. Russia’s suspension of participation in the 2010 New START treaty, described as “the last nuclear arms control treaty limiting Russian and US strategic nuclear forces”, and Russia’s tactical nuclear drills close to Ukraine’s borders in May was noted by the SIPRI. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia warned his nation in February of a “real” risk of nuclear war. An informal agreement between the US and Iran in June 2023 was also suspended due to the Israel-Hamas war. According to SIPRI, the world’s nuclear armed States (the United States, Russia, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel) have continued the modernisation of their weapons. SIPRI estimates that as of January, 9,585 of the 12,121 nuclear weapons estimated to exist worldwide were in stockpiles for possible use. A condition of "high operational alert" was maintained for about 2,100 ballistic missiles. 90 per cent of these weapons belong to the US and Russia. This trend is set to continue and will result in the global deterioration, believes SIPRI researchers. (“Nuclear arms more prominent amid geopolitical tensions, say researchers,” France 24, 17 June 2024)
SLOVAKIA
Pellegrini sworn in as President, calls for just peace
On 15 June, Peter Pellegrini was sworn in as the new President of Slovakia. He is an ally of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico. Pellegrini called for a “just peace” and described Slovakia as divided by “a high mental wall” in Ukraine. His assumption of the office comes after Fico recovers from an assassination attempt. He referred to the assassination attempt and added that the wall needed to be knocked down to avoid more spilled blood. Leftist Pellegrini came to victory in April after his successful campaign against the more liberal Ivan Korcok which revolved around promises of military and financial aid to Ukraine that NATO and EU member Slovakia would give. This comes after Fico’s announcement to limit aid to Ukraine to be only military-based and urges directed at the EU to “change from an arms supplier to a peacemaker”. The move caused divisions in the country, with accusations of allying with Russia coming from the Opposing Korcok and allies. In response, Pellegrini positioned himself as a peacemaker. While the office of the President in Slovakia is for the most part ceremonial, it also comes with the responsibility of presiding over the nation's armed forces, designating senior judges, and ratifying foreign treaties. It is to be noted that Fico did not attend the Ceremony at Bratislava due to his recovery from the gunshot wounds he sustained from the assassination attempt. He has been discharged and is expected to make a recovery. (“Slovakia: Fico ally Pellegrini sworn in as president,” Deutsche Welle, 15 June 2024)