German policy on Russia: failed with a bang tagesschau.de

For a long time, the Merkel government, and then Chancellor Scholz as well, relied on dialogue with Russia. This course is crackingly clever now at the latest. What is needed is a new Russia policy without illusions.

February 22, 2022 marks a turning point in German Russia policy. Anyone who still believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin will allow himself to be dissuaded from his wartime goals by negotiations and repeated offers of talks must be accused of dangerous naivety.

Both the previous Merkel government and the new Ampel government focused on dialogue and economic relations with Russia. However, this policy, which was understandable for a long time and supported by many German citizens, has now failed miserably. By now everyone must be clear: Putin is lying, he is breaking international law and only understands the language of power, strength and deterrence.

A pipeline as geostrategic stupidity

The symbol of the failed German Russia policy is the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline. Pushing such a project forward even after the Russian attack on Crimea in 2014 was an affront to Ukraine and the Central and Eastern European countries.

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel, former Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and initially also the new Chancellor Olaf Scholz have defended the pipeline as a “private-sector project” for far too long. In fact, Nord Stream 2 was a geostrategic stupidity from the start. Until recently, Scholz found it difficult to sacrifice the pipeline. All the better that he stopped the approval process immediately.

Putin-friendly tones in the Bundestag

Nevertheless, it was right that Scholz tried everything to prevent the escalation driven by Putin. If he hadn’t done this, the myth would have spread in Germany that the West hadn’t made enough offers to Russia. Such tones could be heard in the Bundestag last week. The Left Party continues to find it difficult to criticize Russia. The AfD often acts like a Putin fan club. And even in the SPD there are still voices hoping for a new policy of detente with Russia. In this respect, it is good that even the greatest “understanders of Russia” could now see that it was Putin who simply slapped away the outstretched hand of the West.

Defensive weapons for Ukraine

So what should a new Russia policy without illusions look like? She can no longer appease when Putin attacks other countries and the European peace order. It must strengthen the Bundeswehr through higher defense spending. And yes – even if this was a taboo in Germany for a long time – it was supposed to deliver defensive weapons to the attacked Ukraine. Helmets and blankets alone will not deter Putin. He only takes seriously those who carry a big stick in their hands.

At the same time, the door to negotiations must not be completely closed. If Putin realizes how high the price for his aggression is, then he could look for a face-saving exit scenario.