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Pipeline As A Political Weapon?
After the poisoning of the Russian opposition politician Navalny, Latvia's Prime Minister Karins calls for an end to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The EU hesitates: It is politically and economically in a dilemma.
Yazar: Tom Roberts
Yayınlanma: 14 Eylül 2020 01:25
Güncellenme: 14 Mayıs 2024 01:57
Pipeline As A Political Weapon?
Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins is more of the calm type, rimless glasses, gray hair, tall. What the Latvian says has it all: "Europe is very strong politically and militarily and can defend itself against Russia and prevent these attacks that we see again and again." And: He is gradually losing patience with his European and especially German partners. "What still has to happen to see that this is a Russia that is dangerous for Europe and for our European values? We must finally open our eyes," he said in an interview with the ARD European magazine. It is week two after the poison attack on Alexei Navalny. Russia has still not opened an investigation. The EU is still divided on how to react: penalties? Conversations? Change through trade? Prime Minister Karins wants the heads of state and government to look at the issue at their special summit on September 24-25. There are sanctions in the room.Negotiation expert recommends hardship
The negotiation expert Thorsten Hofmann agrees with him. He was a profiler at the BKA and now advises companies. As a person, President Vladimir Putin has a "very strong, dominant personality trait". Such personalities sounded out the weaknesses of their counterparts and exploited them. Rule violations must therefore be consistently countered. It is clear to Hofmann that the Europeans would have to sanction Russia at the latest when the involvement of the Russian state is proven. "I think Putin understands very well how Europe works and where the weaknesses are. And all of his moves have been successful so far: What has Europe done? Nothing."Nord Stream 2 - Russia's weapon against the EU?
But how could the EU react? Targeted punishments against individual actors are above all symbolic, says Prime Minister Karins. He is interested in Nord Stream 2: The controversial pipeline project is supposed to bring cheap Russian gas from Russia to Germany and feed it into the European network. In addition to the Russian energy company Gazprom, five European companies are involved.
In fact, the decision to halt the project in Berlin should be made. That is why the Prime Minister of Latvia, whose country has a border of almost 300 kilometers with Russia, finds clear words: "For years we have been explaining to our German friends what we believe is behind the project to increase German dependence on Russian gas. " Russia uses Europe's gas dependency as a "political weapon". The pipeline goes against the principles of the European Energy Union.
Eastern European countries are pressing for a stop
He is not alone in the EU with this view: Lithuania, Estonia and Poland are also against the project. So far, Germany has largely ignored this. This is no longer possible after the assassination attempt on Russia's most important opposition leader. Indeed, stopping the construction of the pipeline could hurt Moscow economically: The EU is Russia's most important trading partner, almost seventy percent are energy exports.
Germany, the Netherlands and other Central European countries would then have to do without cheap gas. Economically, the EU is faced with a dilemma here. However, the construction work on the pipeline is currently on hold anyway: The companies involved fear US sanctions, which are also against the project. Maybe it'll be done that way anyway.
Veto power Russia
But not everyone in the European Union sees it that way. The chairman of the European left in the European Parliament, the German Martin Schirdewan, is against sanctions. They led to another confrontation between the EU and Russia. "I think that we have to be very careful when dealing with Russia, including in relation to international conflicts."
Indeed, this identifies a major political dilemma for the EU: Russia can block important decisions at any time with its veto in the UN Security Council. For example in the nuclear conflict with Iran or North Korea. In Syria, Russia provides military support to Bashar al-Assad. In July Moscow prevented the extension of urgently needed aid supplies from Turkey to Syria. Here the Europeans depend on Russia's cooperation.
Latvian Prime Minister Karins knows that too. Of course, the EU must cooperate with Russia. "But we have to understand that today's Russia is not the Russia of the 1990s, romanticized by some, moving towards democracy, a fantastic partner to work with." The Europeans must see the Russian government for what it is: a government that is far from democracy.
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