"Sanctions do not exclude diplomacy"

German press and experts about Russia's sanctions against the EU

Assigned in January by the coordinator of German-Russian interdestronized cooperation at the FRG FRG Social Democrat Hernot Hernot Erler spoke in an interview with German radio for immediate diplomatic efforts in order to stop further escalation of the exchange of sanctions. Its main thesis: "Back at the negotiating table!" Gernot Erler expressed concern about the possible development of events. But anxiety is not so much for Germany as for other countries of the European Union:

"From a purely economic point of view, Russia's solution will most likely create problems for small countries, more dependent than we, on the sale of agricultural products. Last year, the EU countries sold products for about 12 billion euros, the share of Germany at the same time was about 1.6 billion, moreover, it has decreased in recent months."

The tone of publications of many German newspapers is also an expression of anxiety. "Stuttgarter Zaitung":

From a purely economic point of view, Russia's solution will most likely create problems for small countries, more dependent than we are on the sale of agricultural products. Last year, the EU countries sold products for about 12 billion euros, the share of Germany at the same time was about 1.6 billion, moreover, it has decreased in recent months

"Now no one knows if the sanctions of the West will only be the beginning of a much larger economic battle. In the West, it still proceeds from the assumption that Russia needs more currency revenues from the sale of gas than Europe in gas supplies themselves. But the development of the war of sanctions can result in the West in hot autumn and expensive winter."

The newspaper "Zyudvest press" emerging in Ulma (Bavaria):

"The most dangerous in this far -ended war is mutual swaying of the swing. When each side considers itself obligated to respond to the" enemy ", this can very easily provoke an escalation, since any concession to one side can be interpreted as" loss of face. "And this would like to avoid both one and the other."

Straubinger Tagblatt , Straubing City (Bavaria):

"What would Putin look like if he had back to backward, would go to the surrender of positions? Such a reaction is impossible for him. On the other hand, it is to push him further even more gesture sanctions-if the sanctions are too strong, and this will begin to reflect on Putin’s domestic political reputation, it is worth fear that Putin will lose control of himself, and then he can get out of control. Conflict as a whole, with unpredictable consequences. "

If there are loads, and they are unevenly distributed, then solidarity with more injured should be shown. For I am convinced that in Moscow every now and then expected that perhaps the European Union countries would not be able to agree on joint sanctions. We proved the opposite. And therefore, solidarity within the European Union should become and will undoubtedly become a natural consequence of the previously adopted general decision

Is there a conflict of interests between EU countries that suffered from sanctions? Gernot Erler:

“We have on this subject of the experience of recent times, when the EU countries have been conducting tough and difficult negotiations with the aim of developing agreed sanctions against Russia. I find a significant result by the fact that the decision on sanctions was eventually made. After all, the interests of countries are sometimes very different.

And, depending on the areas in which Russia's answers will be sensitive, such difficult negotiations of the European Union countries will undoubtedly follow. If only because the leadership of the European Union already made it clear: perhaps the answer will be prepared for Russian sanctions. But we should not lose sight of the root cause - a conflict in Ukraine. The more the army will crowd the separatists, the more likely the military invasion of Russia in Eastern Ukraine will be. There is already a complete threat of discussion about the peacekeeping contingent. Which can be introduced without the UN mandate, without the consent of the world community. Therefore, it is time to say: in order to prevent the dramatic escalation of the conflict, all its parties need to show interest and will in the resumption of negotiations. Diplomacy should finally get his chance again. When making a decision on sanctions, no one built illusions that they would remain unanswered. But we could not help but make such a decision after many attempts and calls to Russia to participate in the de -escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. But I emphasize that, in my opinion, these sanctions do not contradict the need to activate diplomatic efforts. "

Simultaneously with the preparation of economic sanctions, calls for the creation of a stabilization fund to align the loads on the EU countries from the response of Russia were expressed. Hernot Erler supports this idea:

"If there are loads, and they are unevenly distributed, then it is necessary to show solidarity with the more victims. For I am convinced that in Moscow they now and then expected that perhaps the European Union countries will not be able to agree on joint sanctions. We proved the opposite. And therefore, the solidarity within the European Union should become and, undoubtedly, will become a natural consequence of the previously adopted general decision."

The newspaper "Mine Post" (Würzburg) writes:

"Putin’s reaction is primarily confirmed by the fact that the sanctions of the West have an impact. So far, the connection between large capital in Russia and the authorities is holding, but the moment may come when Putin will cost the oligarchs too expensive, and they will ask the question of the price of the eastern Ukraine, which is lying economically in the ruins of Eastern Ukraine."

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  Yuri Veksler

  Foreign Correspondent of RS in Germany Mirgor2017@gmail.com