Security policy In Germany, frustration with Russia policy grew to great proportions – “Irresponsible and shameful”, comments researcher

Berlin

Shame. Bottom contact. Russia problem. In Germany, there has been a very straightforward self-loathing in the public for weeks in connection with the German government’s policy towards Russia and the public debate on Russia.

“This is neither the first nor the last tragedy,” sighs a security policy expert specializing in Russia Gustav Gressel From the European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz received strong criticism in December for stigmatizing the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project as still a purely economic issue.

Last week, he expressed a change of position at a joint news conference with the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with. The gas pipe can still be on the sanctions table.

According to Gressel, the change of line has a huge impact on the whole of Europe. The fact that the exchange of views came out half-heartedly during Stoltenberg’s visit without a proper opening is strange.

Germany has reiterated to Russia that an attack on Ukraine would come at a high price – and that Germany is ready to take from sanctions to his own jacket. However, concrete information is lacking.

Many are waiting More from Germany both inside and outside Germany. Germany is an economic power in the EU and a major NATO country. Angela Merkelin during the Federal Chancellery, Germany’s foreign policy position was strong.

According to some experts, more visible publicity about intimidation of sanctions could work more effectively to stop the war. Gressel estimates the possibility of war to be “fifty – fifty”.

“Unfortunately, we can’t get inside Putin’s head,” he says.

According to Gressel, it seems that not everyone understands the enormous and serious consequences of war for the whole of Europe. The most important thing would be to do everything to prevent it in advance.

The big question at the moment is why, unlike many of its allies, the German government is refusing to export arms to Ukraine and prevent other states as well doing so.

According to Gressel, it’s not surprising, but it’s incomprehensible.

“An irresponsible and shameful fact,” he says.

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Gressel estimates the possibility of war to be “fifty – fifty”.

In Germany is the historical principle of not exporting weapons to crisis areas. It is also included in the program of the current government. The reason is the ballast that Germany is carrying from World War II. It feels responsible for the peace of Europe.

It has now been asked how it fits German peace policy to export weapons to Egypt and Pakistan, for example. Egypt supports Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the Yemeni war.

According to Gressel, German arms export policy does not stand up to moral scrutiny.

“The other eye is closed if financial interests are at stake,” he says.

According to Gressel, Germany should be able to distinguish between a legitimate defense and an aggressive war of aggression in its arms export policy. Ukraine is preparing for the former, he says. It seems to be a matter of naivety.

Gresselin in its view, it is not a question of Germany not taking action to prevent war. Transatlantic cooperation is close.

On Monday night, Scholz discussed the situation over the phone with both EU and NATO leaders and his counterparts in various countries: Britain, France, Italy, Poland and the United States.

The President of the United States Joe Biden according to the countries, there is a consensus on how to counter the threat to Russia.

According to Gressel, frustration with Germany is largely due to the policy not being properly explained to the public. There is minimal communication.

Over the weekend, much attention was paid to the President of Russia, the commander of the German Admiral, the Navy Vladimir Putinia supportive comment. The admiral quickly resigned.

Read more: German naval commander resigns after outrage – says Putin deserves respect

The news that Scholz had later refused to invite Biden to the United States spread later.

According to Gressel, the cases are examples of rumors and misunderstandings intensifying in the absence of consistent and open communication.

“Ignorant statements violate foreign policy,” he says.

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According to Gressel, German arms export policy cannot stand moral scrutiny.

Uncertainty has also added a “new European Eastern policy” cherished by Scholz and the Social Democratic Party, which is too reminiscent of the Cold War interaction with the Soviet Union.

Scholz, too, has not bothered to open properly.

There is pro-Russian sentiment in Germany and Putin’s defense – as in some circles in many other countries, including Finland.

However, according to Gressel, it should be remembered that only a small number of Germans are involved. That is why it is special about him that Scholz seems to be afraid of the people of his own party, the pro-Russian left wing.

According to Gressel, the SPD took the election victory thanks to Scholz, and therefore he could take it bolder to take the reins in the party. According to opinion polls, satisfaction with Scholz is strong in Germany and support for his party, the SPD, has been further strengthened.

Read more: Before, it was Germany that rolled into Russia, but is the country now on its knees? Angela Merkel’s voices are inherited from a young demarina explaining the “new Eastern policy” to HS

The partnership mindset in relation to Russia was strengthened, especially by the Chancellor of the Demar League Gerhard Schröderin for the period 1998-2005. At the time, “interdependence” in Europe was also thought to strengthen stability.

Since then, Germany has decided to abandon nuclear power and relies heavily on Russian gas imports. Now Germany’s energy dependence on Russia is a real political problem.

German Socialist Party Secretary Kevin Kühnert explained the party’s line at a news conference on Monday and said it would not respond to the weeks-long confusion.

“The SPD speaks quite clearly in one voice,” he assured.

Violation of international law in Ukraine would not go unpunished, and the threat of war is real, he said.

According to Kühnert, the fact that the government does not publicize concrete principles, for example with regard to sanctions, does not mean that Putin is going to give up.

“It’s not about naivety. We are looking for solutions through negotiations. ”

According to Kühnert, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell has asserted that the EU is united vis-à-vis Russia, and this is enough to prove the acceptability of the German line.