[ad_1]
After German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on September 2 that Kremlin critic Alexei Navaln had been poisoned with the nerve paralyzing substance Novičiok, the term “breaking point” was used many times to describe the consequences of the attitude. from Germany to Russia, Fischer writes.
According to the author, the era of friendly relations with Moscow ended a long time ago. Merkel’s statement is another link in a chain of events that has undermined Germany’s confidence and willingness to adapt to Russia’s position and its increasingly destructive policies.
Reuters / Scanpix Photo / Alexei Navaln and his wife Julia in the hospital
“The surprise now expressed by Russia shows a lack of understanding of how Germany views Russia and how that perception has changed over the years.” carnegie.ru she writes.
For years, analysts said that Berlin had tried to strike a balance between punitive measures to defend itself against Russian transactions and attempts to maintain dialogue in the most difficult circumstances. As a result, Berlin has received much criticism, both from European Union (EU) partners and increasingly from Washington. The Russian side never understood or appreciated this.
On the contrary, Moscow systematically rejects any of its roles and responsibilities for actions that concern Germany. Merkel, raising the Nord Stream 2 question about the Navaln poisoning, showed that even a strict distinction between the political and economic spheres was being questioned. And this is the basic rule of German foreign policy, writes S. Fischer.
This does not mean that in Germany the discourse towards Russia is comprehensive. Relations with Russia remain a controversial issue. Many, especially at both ends of the political spectrum, favor closer relations with Moscow. However, the atmosphere in the center has changed dramatically in the last ten years. Not in favor of Russia.
VIDEO: Video released from the hotel room A.Navalnas after his poisoning – “Novičiok” detected in a bottle of water
Don’t you know and don’t understand?
Question: Why don’t Moscow lawmakers understand that? There are three possible explanations for this.
The first, writes S. Fischer, is that Russia does not know.
“In this scenario, the political leadership of Russia is really unaware of the change in the political and public debate in Germany. In fact, the vertical of power, which is an organizing principle of the Russian political system, is unfavorable for the transmission of unpleasant truths at the highest political level, ”he writes. carnegie.ru.
According to Fischer, another possible explanation is that Russia does not understand. The analyst writes that Western conspiracies, especially in the United States, are the favorite explanation of Russian state propaganda for almost everyone.
Moscow claims that its actions are always defensive, which means that it is supposedly never responsible for any negative process. Such thinking makes it almost impossible to establish causal links between one’s actions and their consequences.
“Germany’s negative attitude has nothing to do with Moscow policy, so it is explained by Germany’s supposed dependence on the United States,” Fischer writes.
According to the author, the third possible explanation is the general disastrous sentiment that exists in Moscow towards the EU, including Germany. Relations have deteriorated for several years, and since Russia is not supposedly responsible for it, there is nothing it can do to improve the situation. Moscow is also convinced that the West is rapidly losing strength and importance in a changing international system, so there is no need to make a real effort in the relationship.
According to Fischer, Russia’s misunderstanding can probably be explained by all of the elements listed above.
“It is unlikely that Germany will still abandon the dialogue with Russia, even after the last coup. However, Berlin has lost confidence and will invest less and less in maintaining a functional relationship. Perhaps it is time for decision makers in Moscow to realize that it is your own actions. ” carnegie.ru writes the analyst.
[ad_2]
