On German aid and isolation of Russia

President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite said recently that the EU countries now needed to assess new threats to European security and work together for peace in Europe. Whether Europe is now ready to pass this test of            leadership, remains unclear. Many politicians simply do not realize how dangerous are Vladimir Putin’s aggressive policies, which may go well beyond fomenting the war in eastern Ukraine. The way the German public is perceiving this war depends on many factors: long-term Russian-German relations (both economic and cultural), the phenomenon of Putin-Versteher (“Putin understanders”), and the anti-American sentiment which is common in Germany. In addition, both the older and younger generations have some people stating “we are dependent on Europe, America runs everything, NATO forces us to go to wars.” What is Germany’s stance on settlement of the situation in the Donbas? The issue is covered in The Day’s exclusive interview with member of the Bundestag, CDU/CSU politician Peter Beyer, who has been a member of the assembly’s Committee for International Affairs since 2009.

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said recently that Germany could provide necessary support to Iraq and Ukraine. Can we go into specifics on how this support for our country might look?

“Both countries she named are facing a grave crisis with winter approaching. The first part of humanitarian aid from Germany arrived in Ukraine a few days ago. The goods brought in are intended for the construction of frost-proof houses and rebuilding infrastructure in eastern Ukraine, where fighting is continuing. As much as 112 trucks have already crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border at Yahodyn. They are carrying about 746 tons of humanitarian aid from Germany. In view of the approaching winter, it should improve the plight of affected people, primarily in eastern Ukraine. End points for the convoy are eastern Ukrainian cities Kharkiv, Sloviansk, Mariupol, Zaporizhia, and Dnipropetrovsk.”

President Grybauskaite of Lithuania stressed recently that Ukraine “was fighting not only for itself, but also for us,” that is, the Europeans. In your opinion, has the German political class come to understand this as well?

“Germany and Russia have a long-term, ancient relationship. In this situation, Germany has acted against Russia openly and decisively. This is reflected in the sanctions that are severely affecting the German economy too.”

How do you rate Angela Merkel’s response to Putin’s aggressive policies?

“Merkel, of course, is the politician who has had most frequent contact with Putin so far. The issues existing between Russia and Ukraine, which are becoming even more complicated by the day, cannot be solved immediately. Therefore, further intensive dialog with Russia is very much in order.”

Do you believe it is appropriate to talk about a new cold war starting now?

“I do not, because Russia is isolated over its policy towards Ukraine. I see a new dualism emerging with China and the US as the top powers, rather than Russia and the rest of the world.”

What solutions to the conflict in Ukraine do you see? How to force Putin to withdraw from eastern Ukraine and Crimea?

“The military solution to the conflict is not discussed in Germany. The sanctions may contribute to solving this issue. In any case, we must avoid creating another frozen conflict. Therefore, the OSCE is the right mediator who listens to both sides, the Russians as well as the Ukrainians.”

How effective are the European economic sanctions against Russia, in your opinion?

“I think economic sanctions are important and effective. If the German economy is already feeling the pain, these sanctions will affect Russia as well.”

How to react to Gazprom’s pressure, which has already forced Hungary to cut reverse gas flows to Ukraine?

“Germany and Europe can alleviate the shortage of gas reserves in Ukraine at the moment. There are many other gas suppliers on the world market. The EU must come up with a unified response should Ukraine need its assistance in case of a suspension of gas deliveries.”