Russia Angela Merkel’s former adviser admits Germany’s underestimation of Putin: “We were too bona fide”

Berlin

German the previous Chancellor Angela Merkelin long-term foreign policy adviser Christoph Heusgen admitted Bild newspaper in an interview that Germany underestimated the Russian president Vladimir Putin “Cruelty and ruthlessness”.

Heusgen argued that Germany has always wanted to keep in close contact with Russia, despite several crises in recent years.

In his 16-year career as chancellor, Merkel, who is skilled in Russia, was known for being the only European leader Putin was expected to respect.

Germany’s Nord Stream gas pipeline cooperation with Russia had already begun through Merkel, but Merkel wanted to keep gas cooperation a pure economic issue.

Now Merkel’s German policy towards Russia is under review.

Heusgen lists examples of recent condemnation of Russia: the leader of the opposition Alexei Navalnyin poisoning, the park murder in Berlin, the dictator of Syria Bashar al-Assadin support and the activities of Russian mercenaries in Africa.

“It also doesn’t shy away from attacking its neighbors. That cannot be answered with kindness, ”Heusgen said.

Christoph Heusgen is the new director of the Munich Security Conference, succeeding Wolfgang Ischinger. Picture: Sven Hoppe / DPA

Despite fostering economic co-operation, Merkel also bluntly criticized Russia in a number of twists and turns. I figured out the details of the poisoning Merkel demanded official Russia to answer questions on the matter.

After Russia’s conquest of Crimea in 2014, Merkel played a key role in facilitating the Minsk talks.

“Putin has faced the Western negotiator he has to deal with. Merkel cannot be bluffed or charmed, ”said the former ambassador to Moscow Rene Nyberg characterized the negotiations for HS in 2015.

Tuesday German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that the approval process for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will be suspended in response to Russia’s hostilities against Ukraine.

Back in December, Scholz said Nord Stream 2 is a financial project. For Germany, this is a major change of direction in gas policy. Gas enters Germany from Russia via several pipelines and is a key form of heating in Germany.

Former President and Prime Minister of Russia, current Vice-Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev Tweeted in German on Tuesday that Europe will soon have to pay 2,000 euros per cubic meter for gas.

German Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeckin According to Habeck, the availability of gas in Germany is not in jeopardy. In Germany, consumers are promised subsidies as energy prices rise.

Also President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen said at a security meeting in Munich on Sunday that Europe ‘s gas reserves are now so good that even the disruption of gas supplies from Russia would be completely tolerated.

Read more: The EU can also use energy sanctions, says Commission President von der Leyen – “Even if gas supplies from Russia are cut off, we will survive this winter.”

Also Finland has worked closely with Russia on energy issues. A similar reassessment is now being started in Finland. On Tuesday, the Minister of Employment and the Economy Mika Lintilä (middle) announcedthat a new safety analysis is now being carried out on a Russian-funded nuclear project in Pyhäjoki.

Read more: CEO of Fortum-owned Uniper: The situation in Ukraine causes “deep unrest”, the company faces a wide range of risks in Russia

Read more: Are Russia’s sanctions too lenient or just right for this point? There are school differences within the EU

Read more: Finland is not dependent on Russian crude oil – petrol and diesel are imported in significant quantities from Sweden and the rest of Western Europe