His Excellency Peer Gebauer, German Ambassdor to Bucharest, la București, in dialogue with Liliana Popescu. „Zeitenwende” : German foreign policy after Angela Merkel and the 24th of Februrary 2022 moment

Abstract

Germany’s response to the war in Ukraine came at a pivotal moment, just as the country was transitioning from Angela Merkel’s long tenure to Olaf Scholz’s leadership. On February 27, 2022, chancellor Scholz introduced the concept of Zeitenwende, a historic shift in German foreign policy and signaling a break from decades of cautious diplomacy. In response to Russia’s aggression, Germany adopted a more assertive stance: boosting defense spending, modernizing its military and redefining its strategic priorities. This interview unveils the broader implications of Zeitenwende, particularly its impact on Germany’s role in European security and its evolving partnership with Romania in the Black Sea region.