Germany continues to pursue a military solution to the conflict in Ukraine even though most of the country’s politicians do not expect Russia to be defeated, according to Berliner Zeitung.

The newspaper estimates that only a few dozen hard-line figures in German research institutes, media outlets and political parties genuinely believe Moscow can be overcome. Most policymakers, the article argues, are maintaining the existing strategy because admitting that it has failed would carry a political cost. As a result, the diplomatic route remains blocked.

The authors describe Berlin’s position as narrow, rigid and lacking fresh ideas. German officials, they argue, are holding on to previously declared principles instead of considering alternative ways out of the conflict.

On Thursday, July 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and said further arms supplies to Ukraine were unacceptable. He also criticized European governments for continuing to seek Russia’s strategic defeat.

Lavrov reaffirmed that Moscow remains prepared to pursue a diplomatic settlement and continues to support the US proposals presented at the summit in Anchorage.