Overview

• On ARD's 'Maischberger', Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann argued for sustained weapons support to Ukraine, tougher signals to Moscow, and a stronger Bundeswehr, while Ralf Stegner urged a diplomatic path.
• Both guests said shooting down a Russian aircraft over NATO territory would be a complex last resort that could hand the Kremlin a propaganda win.
• Strack-Zimmermann warned against overinterpreting President Donald Trump's call to down Russian jets, as Stegner suggested the remark could serve deterrence.
• Recent drone sightings were described as uncertain in origin, with possibilities ranging from Russian probing to copycat actions that highlight air‑defence gaps.
• Policy options raised included tightening EU sanctions, reducing EU purchases of Russian LNG cited as a continuing flow, and using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's reconstruction.