Putin, Merkel, Hollande, and Renzi, and sanctions against Russia

In a speech to open the 50th Munich Security Conference  held on 31 January 2014, Federal President Joachim Gauck proclaimed that,


"I have to admit that while there are genuine pacifists in Germany, there are also people who use Germany’s guilt for its past as a shield for laziness or a desire to disengage from the world. In the words of the historian Heinrich August Winkler, this is an attitude that grants Germany a questionable "right to look the other way, which other Western democracies" cannot claim for themselves. Restraint can thus be taken too far if people start making special rules for themselves. Whenever that happens, I will criticise it." (Federal President Joachim Gauck) (my emphasis)

Federal President Joachim Gauck : 31st January, 2014

Guack was arguing that the 'Ostpolitik' instituted by the SPD member Willy Brandt when he was Chancellor of Germany during the 1970's, and that is still fervently clung to by Merkel and the SDP member Steinmeier, has now become defunct.

Willy Brandt

The world has changed, he argues, and Germany must,

" ..... not turn a blind eye, not run from threats, but instead stand firm, not forget, neglect or betray universal values, but instead uphold these values together with our friends and partners. Let us be seen to be living by them, let us defend them." (ibid  Federal President Joachim Gauck) (my emphasis)

Germany under Merkel’s stewardship is leading European efforts to mediate the conflict [in Ukraine]. Thus have the words of Joachim Gauck fallen on deaf ears. As he so eloquently states,

"Now, some people in my country consider "international responsibility" to be a euphemism, veiling what’s really at stake. Some think that in reality Germany would have to pay more. Others think that Germany would have to send in more soldiers. And they are all convinced that "more responsibility" primarily means more trouble. You will not be surprised to hear that I see things differently." (ibid  Federal President Joachim Gauck) (my emphasis)

Steinmeier                                                       Merkel

How prescient of Guack! Thus,

"Steinmeier said, “One of the problems is that many people aren’t having a dialogue [with Putin]. That’s not true of the Germans.”

Furthermore,

"Germany can’t declare Russia, its “rather large neighbor,” a friend or enemy, Steinmeier said. Officials in the 28-member EU who argue for ratcheting up sanctions because they’re working suffer from a “dangerous misunderstanding.” (Brian Parkin and Patrick Donahue : Bloomber : Nov. 27, 2014)

The duo of Merkel and Steinmeier simply cannot break away from Willy Brandt's 1970's 'Ostpolitik' mentality which, in face of what Putin is doing in Ukraine, is nothing more nor less than clinging to the OUTDATED belief that,

" ..... Germany’s [Ostpolik] foreign policy has long since found the right formula. That there is not much to adjust, never mind change. Why fix something if it isn’t broken?" (ibid  Federal President Joachim Gauck)

What is rather dangerous about Merkel and Steinmeier shielding behind the OUTDATED 'Ostpolitik' of Willy Brandt is that Italy and France, in particular, are doing exactly the same by shielding themselves behind Merkel and Steinmeier!

Franscoise Hollande                                           Matteo Renzi                     

And all of this, even in light of Putin's oligarch, Roman Popov, recently bankrolling Marine le Pen's 'Front Nationale' to the tune of  $11.3 million, besides Putin actively supporting other RIGHT-WING parties in the EU. (Nov. 27, 2014: UT)

It really beggars belief that Merkel, Hollande, and Renzi, three critical players in EU foreign policy towards Ukraine, can sit back whilst Putin and Popov bankrolls the right-wing 'fascist' parties in their countries.

So what, really, is behind German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier stating that,

"Germany wants to avoid wrecking Russia’s economy with sanctions imposed in the conflict over Ukraine .." ? (ibid Brian Parkin and Patrick Donahue)

Rather cynically one could say that Steinmeier does not give a fig about what Putin is doing to Ukraine, as long as it does NOT affect all those German exports to Putin's Russia.

Why? Because

"Earlier this week, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said lower oil prices and Western financial sanctions will cost Russia around $130 billion-$140 billion a year, equivalent to around 7 percent of its economy." (Vladimir Soldatkin and Robin Emmott : Reuters : Sat Nov 29, 2014) (my emphasis) 

President Vladmir Putin (L) speaks with Finance Minister Anton Siluanov

This is why,

"Russia urged the European Union on Saturday (Nov. 29,2014) to lift sanctions against Moscow and promised to waive its food embargo, but a top EU official rejected such a move as the bloc imposed fresh measures on Ukrainian rebels." (ibid Soldatkin and Emmott)

In other words Putin is finally well aware that sanctions are bringing the Russian economy to its knees, just as Steinmeier knows that this is also having a devastating effect on the German economy as well.

 Unfortunately for Steinmeier,

"Jean-Claude Juncker, the new president of the European Commission, said Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region in March left Europe with two options: go to war against Russia or impose economic sanctions.

"If you don't want a war the only possibility is sanctions ... You have to take sanctions that produce an effect," Juncker told RTL radio in Luxembourg, his home country." (ibid Soldatkin and Emmott)  (my emphasis)

Jean-Claude Juncker

(to be continued)