In the beginning of the German campaign against the remarks of the leader of the liberal party SDP Christian Lindner (Christian Lindner) about the attitude towards Russia and President Vladimir Putin provoked a scandal.
It is not so much about his basic position regarding the need for Germany and the rest of the West to engage in dialogue with the Russians. The main controversy was his remark that the West should recognize Russia’s occupation of Crimea as a “long temporary measure,” that during the negotiations it is necessary to avoid such topics and in General to treat Russia as a “great power”.
The hail of criticism, quite rightly, fell on Christian Lindner, who after the elections on 24 September can become a Minister. Because the question is not whether Putin is losing face. The question is whether he will be able without problems to get out of the current situation after causing violations of international law.
But the German liberal leader touched on a very painful subject: the question of how Russia and Western Europe — not to mention the USA — to begin negotiations.
The current situation is dire. Russia annexed the Ukrainian Peninsula of Crimea, supports the armed rebellion in the East of Ukraine and is 99.9% to blame for the destruction of the passenger plane of Malaysia Airlines on 17 July 2014. Then killed 283 passengers and 15 crew members.
However, on the other hand, without Russia can not do. Russia is an active participant in the civil war in Syria is rattling the sabre in the region of the Baltic sea, is keen to expand in the Arctic. In addition there are plenty of frozen conflicts like Abkhazia and Transnistria. There the Kremlin plays a major role.
The crucial point in all future negotiations is the question of whether to trust President Putin and his team in the Kremlin. Putin lied about the Crimea, he is lying about Eastern Ukraine. And in General Russians like to cheat.
One thing is clear: Russia pays no attention to sanctions imposed over the Crimea, and thus violates another important condition.
German industrial giant Siemens a few years ago sold for four turbines for Russian power plants in Taman. Taman is located near Crimea, and the contract stated that these turbines cannot be used to supply electricity to the occupied Peninsula.
Currently, at least two and maybe all four turbine — has been in the Crimea, where the Russian government is actively building a power plant. The fact that the Crimea depends on Ukrainian energy supplies which already had problems. This happened particularly after the sabotage of high-voltage lines. But in Taman work, on the contrary, stopped.
The Russians pretend that they are not to blame, although President Putin in 2014, promised the Minister of economy of Germany Sigmar Gabriel (Sigmar Gabriel) that the turbines will be used in full compliance with the contract.
Siemens said the turbine was in Crimea “against her will”, “without her knowledge” and “in violation of clear contractual obligations.”
The initial contract was signed with the company, which went bankrupt last year.
The current owner of the turbines claims that they were obtained as the property of a bankrupt company, and then upgraded. According to the statement of the official representative of the Kremlin, as a result, they became “Russian product”.
Siemens may shut down its operations in Russia, but is not doing anything. The EU is not able to send the ship in the port of Feodosia in the Crimea, to pick up the turbine. An unexpected situation. It is possible to protest and to tighten sanctions. The latter is probably considered the German government.
But what is clear is that Russia pays no attention to sanctions and commits another very serious violation. It is also clear that all this is happening despite great efforts to avoid such a situation.
It gives the Danish Ministry of foreign Affairs, as well as other countries of Western Europe and the United States to sever relations. How is it possible to negotiate with a leadership that is cheating?
But you need to find a way out. Russia is part of Europe and is very close by.
Future arrangements must be very well prepared. It is necessary to clearly indicate what actions will follow in case of breach of contract. Hide the carrot in the stick, so to speak.
The construction of a new pipeline “Nord stream 2” at the bottom of the Baltic sea should soon receive the approval of the EU countries — in particular Denmark. But now — without any haste.
In Copenhagen everything should begin with a call to the Minister for foreign Affairs Anders Samuelsen (Anders Samuelsen) the head of Siemens Joe KAESER (Joe Kaeser). The latest gain experience, which will help me to learn something.
