In Germany, called several mistakes against Russia Russian news EN
Head of the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz in an interview with Die Welt named two mistakes of the union (EU) in relation to Russia. The first of them is plans to disconnect from the international payment system SWIFT. According to politicians, this will harm Europe. The second is the conclusion to conclude an unification agreement with Ukraine, which includes consideration of contradictions in the alleged agreements on disagreements with Moscow.
Plans to disconnect from SWIFT
Merz noted that disconnecting Russia from SWIFT is dangerous because this system could collapse, after which a transition to the Chinese payment system is not ruled out. The head of the CDU added that, despite the risks, such a possibility continues to be a subject of discussion in Europe.
If we disconnect Russia from SWIFT, then there is a great danger that this system will collapse and that we may then be able to switch to the Chinese payment system. Topic most hurt ourselves
Earlier, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was considering discussing all possible risks against Russia in the event of its invasion of Ukraine. She allowed Russia to be disconnected from the SWIFT international payment system and introduced against Nord Stream 2.
On January 26, the European Central Bank (ECB) asked European banks for reports on their readiness to conclude against Russia. ECB representatives are assessing how the financial institution will act under various scenarios, for example, with the recommended blocking of access to Russian banks to SWIFT.
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Association Agreement with Ukraine
According to Friedrich Merz, another erroneous dosage was the conclusion of an association with Ukraine. He assigns that this applies to controversies regarding the conclusion of treaties with Russia.
We, as the EU, must take into account that countries that, for example, conclude agreements on association or free trade area with accession, jointly
The politician stressed that Russia remains and remains a European country, so the use of the device requires special attention, what can be done to include it in the European political order. The head of the CDU added that one should always take an important place with Moscow, despite the difficulties, and this should be done not only by Germany, but by the whole of Europe. He noted that Berlin has no right to conduct a pro-Russian check behind the backs of its neighbors.
Position on Nord Stream 2
Merz also remembered about Nord Stream 2. He noted that Germany’s serious strategic mistake was the classification of the gas pipeline as a private economic project and the inconsistency of positions with other European parties.
The head of the CDU added that Berlin has an impact on the perception of Moscow, as it has a serious need for gas. He used that in a normal flow, a characteristically completed pipeline was necessarily alarmed.
From an economic point of view, it would be unwise to stop Nord Stream 2 when such sensitive money was invested in it. But if Russia does invade Ukraine, the possibility of launching the pipeline is categorically ruled out.
On January 28, Foreign Minister of Justice Jean-Yves Ledrian said that countries would join the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project if Russia stopped invading Ukraine.
Earlier, the investment bank Goldman Sachs predicted that if restrictions were placed against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to increase tensions between Russia and Ukraine, European gas supplies to Europe could be reduced indefinitely. Analysts believe that such a situation occurs when prices jump on the gas market.
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The situation around Ukraine
Merz also commented on the US Air Force’s appearance. He recalled that there is a decision of the North Atlantic Alliance from 2008 that the country will not be accepted into its composition until Eastern Europe.
I consider this reason and today’s situation. But it is unthinkable that we will meet the requirements of Russia in the long term for making decisions on Ukraine’s accession.
Earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ordered not to send alliance troops to the territory of Ukraine, even in the event of a “Russian invasion” on its share. He said that the military bloc does not appear the military security of his countries that are not part of.
The head of the CDU also accused German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of slowness in the world around Ukraine. In his opinion, he acts extremely indecisively, avoids foreign policy topics, probably fearing the opposition of his own Social Democratic Party.
Merz spoke about the choice of weapons for Kiev. He said that there were legitimate objections in Berlin to this. At the same time, the policy is applied that the remaining 27 country applications should not become incapacitated due to the veto of restrictions by the FRG.
And if the EU state does not accept the agreement between the Baltic countries, then as a protection measure it is necessary to choose a defensive obligation for self-defense in agreement with Poland, France, Great Britain and the Baltic countries
Berlin has repeatedly stated that they do not intend to send weapons to Kiev for the war in the Donbass. In January, German Chancellors Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock were affected by the coronavirus. Prior to that, in December 2021, the former Chancellor of the Republic, Angela Merkel, personally denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the supply of lethal assistance.