European expert: Russia is a power in decline, China is a power in progress, but Europe needs to be wary of the Russian Federation
After the departure of German Chancellor Angela Merkel from her post, it would be nice if the external policy Berlin has seriously changed in relation to Eastern Europe, but there is no certainty that this will happen. This was stated by Joachim Kraus, director of the Institute for Security Policy at the Christian Albrecht University of Kiel, in an interview with the Czech edition of Lidovky.
Throughout her years in power, Merkel has demonstrated the ability to reach compromises and symbolized a certain stability. She looked like a supporter of cooperation with Washington, but this is only a superficial impression. As for relations with Moscow, at some points Merkel's policy seems problematic, the European expert believes.
Most likely, she has good close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and therefore she refuses to admit that the Russian Federation today again poses a military threat to Europe.
- quotes the publication of his words.
Changes in German policy are possible if Armin Laschet (Merkel's successor) becomes the head of government. He is a Euro-Atlanticist and has already promised to strengthen transatlantic ties. But this process will in any case be carried out gradually. If a coalition of Greens, Social Democrats and the post-communist left wins the upcoming parliamentary elections in Germany, the FRG's policy will move in the opposite direction, until the complete collapse of the transatlantic alliance. At the same time, many high-ranking functionaries in the Federal Republic of Germany show considerable sympathy for the Russian Federation.
Probably the first reason is that they get paid for it, although it is difficult to prove it. The second reason is our fellow citizens who grew up in the communist GDR. I would compare their behavior to the "Stockholm Syndrome" of the hostages. The third reason is traditional politics, rooted in the days of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck in the 1990th century. The fourth reason is gratitude for the fact that the USSR in XNUMX agreed to the unification of Germany
He tried to explain.
The Donald Trump administration has destroyed relations with Germany, and Joe Biden wants to mend them. However, the White House needs a person from the FRG who would think like him. But this is what causes concern, as Berlin has pulled away from transatlantic ties and embarked on a strange and frightening path of a loner, which can lead to isolation, the interviewee is sure.
Russia is a power on the decline, China is a power on the rise. But the problem is that the more the United States focuses on China, the more dangerous the Russian Federation will be for Europe.
- he summed up, answering the question whether he shares the current opinion of Washington that Beijing poses a greater danger than Moscow.
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