Germany’s refusal to arm Ukraine and its trade relationship with Russia continues to irk the US and other NATO allies. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that US and European officials are asking if Berlin’s ties with Moscow are making Germany an “unreliable ally.”
Germany’s new coalition government has adopted a policy of not sending weapons to potential conflict zones. Berlin has also cited history as a reason not to participate in the military buildup in the region, referring to Nazi war crimes in Eastern Europe and in the Soviet Union.
Germany’s reasoning is not enough for some of its allies. Estonia has been waiting for over a month for Berlin to give approval for the Baltic country to send 10 Soviet-made howitzer guns to Ukraine. The howitzers belonged to East Germany, and after German reunification, the weapons were sent to Finland, which sold them to Estonia.
The Journal report quoted Kristo Enn Vaga, an Estonian defense official, who said Germany was delaying a time-critical decision. He said if Russia invades Ukraine, Estonia could be “next on the Russian bear’s menu.”
One project that angers many officials in Washington is the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline that Germany and Russia are working on getting up and running. The construction of the pipeline was recently completed despite pressure from the US.
On Sunday, NATO Secretary-General said he was “concerned” over Europe’s reliance on Russian gas. Russia provides about a third of the EU’s gas supply and Germany relies on Moscow for more than 50 percent of its gas, and those numbers will increase once Nord Stream 2 is operational.
Germany is the only country in Europe with at least half a clue. They know if they get cut off from Russia gas, their country implodes. They’re also beginning to suspect, as Andrei Martyanov points out in Tuesday’s video, that the US intends the EU economy to become a supplicant of the US in order to help save the drowning US economy. The US sacrifices Ukraine in a war with Russia in order to sacrifice the EU economy in service of the US. Martyanov has a point.
In the grand scheme of things, we want to see Russia go the way of Yugoslavia, broken into pieces. The Clinton administration had just a little bit to do with that.
By the way, As Mercouris pointed out in his video today, it’s evident that France and Italy are conducting side channel negotiations with Putin over Ukraine and the Russian demand for security guarantees, with two calls between Putin and Macron on Friday and Monday, and one with Italy’s Prime Minister on Monday, while freezing out a scheduled call with England’s Boris Johnson.
So it’s clear that Putin is driving a wedge between at least two and possibly 3 of the most important European countries in the EU and NATO.
“it’s evident” “it’s clear”
It’s neither.
What it is is possible.
There may be side channel negotiations and wedges getting driven.
Or there may just be European politicians posturing as important and independent to their subject populations in public while toeing the US line in action.
Give them a chance, or the USA will continue its domination with danger to us all. The US population, of course, are not consulted.
Certainly a possibility. But as Mercouris says, Macron had two talks in two working days with Putin, and they appear to be scheduling a summit. In addition, Italy appears to be coordinating with France.
No matter what ends up being done, this has all the appearance of both countries drifting away from the party line. It is likely that Macron sees a chance to elevate himself in the EU and push his agenda in opposition to the US and NATO. One can view it as the usual “France is a spoiler”, but it works to Russia’s advantage and the US’ disadvantage.
In concert with Germany’s wavering, that’s three important EU nations that aren’t toeing the US/NATO line, at least in public. Given the economic impact of war and sanctions on them, one has to expect that. After all, if their economies tank due to the sanctions, their political careers are dead as door nails anyway.
You may be right.
It seems so simple to solve, though. The US is already caving on the missile subject, probably under back channel pressure from Germany and/or France. All that’s left is for one of the smaller NATO states to have its legislature pass a law requiring its executive branch to veto an proposal to make Ukraine a NATO member. I’d be surprised if several such regimes aren’t entertaining aid bids from both sides to get them to do exactly that.
That would certainly help, at least with the Ukraine issue. And you may be right that someone is going to think of that.
None of the NATO GNOMES are VERY important. Especially the non-nuclear ones. They’really like Children in an adult game… !!!!!! Send them home to sleep it off
Well, don’t forget to change their nappies (diapers) first…
CNN likes to sagely opine that Germany lacks leadership and is vulnerable to Russian blackmail. Actually Germany is showing real leadership away from NATOs drive for war over Ukraine, resisting US blackmail. NATO claims no choice but to threaten Russia with it’s ‘open door’ policy of national sovereignty, yet Germany’s sovereign business and energy choices get no such respect from the warmongering American autocrats.
The US lies for credibility, escalates for peace and dictates for democracy. We make quite a dangerous spectacle of ourselves on the world stage.
Yes, and we do not do history. Germany’s role in WWI and WWII cannot be written off simply as a personality tale, bad leadership.
Isn’t it happening again?
When Queen Victoria’s grandson ascended to the German throne, first he did was fire Bismarck and diminish role of Prussia. Which in short order damaged relations with Russia. And against wiser heads warnings — supported Austro-Hungary and Vatican’s war on Serbia.
It was very expedient for UK to use Germany as the hothouse for growing future regime changers, such as Trotsky and would be Turkish leaders.
And it was expedient for UK to demonize Keiser and Germany — as UK had a chance to get rid the competitor, and profit from war reparations.
But it lasted longer than expected, and un the end it was US president Wilson that was designing European borders.
WWII saw Germany not only struggling with economy, dealing with unemployment, but also with the real danger of comminists coming to power in the midst of social chaos.
And soon enough, Germany was funded from the outside, supported anything that claimed to be. anti-communist.
Hitler ione among many. With Vatican funded charities, soup kitchens, help to poor, he attracted dispossed working people and middle class. And he was preaching the mantra of anticommunism, attracting support from industrialists and governing circles.
Upon coming to power, he was quietly provided with engines from UK, as Germany had none and needed to build war planes. Money was coming disretely from accross Atlantic as well.
Why the generosity? Germany’s destiny was to figh Soviet Union. But the helpers had a better plan — there was no place for strong Germany in post War Europe . Subtle manuevering, called appeasement, meant to lure Hitler to fight in both fronts.
In the end, Germany was too happy to be politically marginalized by the winners. It did well for itself. Staying as far out as it could — but not always successfully.
But now it can see its past flash in front of their eyes. Again? To step on hat rake for the third time?
Extremely well said:
“The US lies for credibility, escalates for peace and dictates for democracy…”
And we do: make quite a dangerous spectacle of ourselves…
How great to see the USA deference to “territorial integrity” (in Ukraine) but not to its alleged ally, Germany, which is not allowed to accept its own arranged deal with Russia to supply needed Russian gas because Big Boss decides it does not like this decision. The USA also puts illegal sanctions “on Russia” when it is Germany and other European “allies” which lose by the restrictions. Independence? Sovereignty? Not for Germany or other EU members who want peace and security, including the security of Russia.
Right on!
They should ask Germany to bomb the Nord Stream pipe line as a sign of fealty to nato.
Like committing suicide for fear of death
-Bismarck
Hmmm, do I want to freeze my balls off or do I not want to freeze my balls off?
That is the obvious question WRU and it was my first thought, this morning… I am going to guess…. NO?!
Hold fast, Germany. Hold fast.