On Angela Merkel, the Mistrals, and Russia’s guilt

With his article “Russia’s Guilt” Kornelius has shaken the entire German media space. Many have condemned Vladimir Putin’s actions, but nobody dared to present such sharp criticism before. Following the MH17 flight’s downing, the international news editor of Sueddeutsche Zeitung openly stated that Russia had to shoulder the blame for it. He then began to receive anonymous letters, full of threats and wishing him death... Besides substantiating his thoughts on terrorist activity in eastern Ukraine and Putin’s direct influence on these processes, Kornelius covered also the required response on Europe’s part. However, he added that the chief purpose of economic sanctions against Russia was to calm the Europeans’ own fears. “Western policy towards the Ukrainian crisis has two objectives,” Kornelius wrote. “The first one is to bring a resolution in the war with separatists (talk of a civil war is absurd, taking into account the huge number of people from Russia who have entered the territory of Ukraine). So, we should boldly seek to rebalance our relations with Russia. Secondly, the West did not want internal conflict, for a divided Europe or America’s lone voice would only strengthen the Russian president’s perception that the West has grown weak.” We interviewed Kornelius – journalist and writer, formerly a reporter and now the international news editor of Sueddeutsche Zeitung, the author of a biographical book about German Chancellor Angela Merkel – about Merkel’s mistakes, the Mistrals, and the West’s stance.

You stated in your article “Russia’s Guilt” that Russia was obviously influencing the events in eastern Ukraine and the EU and America should respond to it decisively. What steps do you think should be taken, as we have already reached the third round of sanctions?

“The EU currently has sanctions as its only instrument. They are too weak and I think that these sanctions should be strengthened. Secondly, arms deliveries to Russia, which France is engaging in, should be stopped immediately. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to change policies when it comes to national economic interests. In this regard, we have seen quite clear signals recently.”

How can Germany and Merkel in particular influence other EU countries so that they joined the third round of sanctions?

“Actually, Merkel has been doing it since July 21. She is trying to influence this process, but economic interests block her efforts. Some countries have bitter rows that stand out of the overall picture. Our chief objective is to prevent a split within Europe. Such a split would be Putin’s triumph. He is just waiting for his chance to show how weak is Europe.”

How would you comment on the fact that Merkel asked French president Francois Hollande to stop the Mistrals’ delivery, but he declared he could not do it, because his nation was bound by a contract?

“In my opinion, the Mistrals’ delivery is a colossal blunder on France’s part, which should be immediately corrected. Germany has to stop arms trade with Russia as well. There was an affair lately with Germany delivering tanks to Russia for testing. This is unacceptable and all such activity must stop. Europe cannot supply weapons to a country that is at war, because it is tantamount to killing people.”

What is your assessment of Merkel’s policy in this situation?

“The chancellor holds the top job and is trying to do something, to act as a mediator of dialog. She has access to Putin. However, Merkel missed the moment when Putin began to move in a completely different direction. It was a major defeat for her. Despite this, she is the only one who can clearly say now that Russia’s policy is wrong and false.

“The MH17’s downing incident has completely changed the situation. All have come to their senses, and ongoing processes are taking place against the will of countries that do not want to join the united front of counteraction and open resistance. This issue is literally splitting Europe.”

What will the EU’s next steps be?

“The EU will employ sanctions to put pressure on Russia. I hope that Europe will eventually take the political initiative, because the war that is taking place in Donetsk and Luhansk is neither the end nor a solution of the problem at hand. Putin should publicly withdraw his support for the separatists, take responsibility, and admit his guilt. Europe, for its part, should send a clear signal that the war is absurd. Donetsk and Luhansk are inalienable parts of Ukraine.”