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Photo of a convoy of Russian armored vehicles on the highway in the Crimea, part of Ukraine, which was invaded and annexed by Russia in 2014, January 18, 2022. Russia is gathering near the border, with more than 100,000 soldiers, tanks and other heavy weapons. With the neighbor, the fear of Western nations may be the precursor to a new invasion. – Photo: AB
In recent weeks, diplomatic rhetoric has shown To us And Europe must try to control Russia’s aggression Ukraine It also exposes how to best deal with cracks in NATO Vladimir Putin. The Russian president is exploiting the disunity in the Atlantic Alliance, first the divisions between Europeans and then the divisions between the camp and its US allies..
On the American side, Joe Biden, Aided by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, abuses militant rhetoric and Plans to impose harsher punishments on Russia and its president. On the European side, opposition Germany To act forcefully against the country, in the event of a possible Russian occupation, creates irritation and distrust among allies.
The apparent German tolerance, in the first analysis, lies in their dependence Russia For energy. The Germany Russia is the world’s largest buyer of gas: it receives more than half of its imports from the country, compared to an average of 40% for other EU countries. This illustrates, for example, Berlin’s opposition to sending arms to Estonia Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden have met at Villa La Grange in Geneva, Switzerland. June 16, 2021 – Photo: Patrick Semansky / AP
Another important factor in disagreements inside and outside Europe The North Stream 2 gas pipeline connects Russia with Germany at a distance of 1,200 km (Directly through the Body Sea, without going through Ukraine) Although completed in September by a state-owned company called Gazprom with an investment of US $ 11 billion, the project is not yet operational and is awaiting certification.
As a geopolitical tool against it, the United States wants to include the pipeline in the sanctions package Russia, But they face opposition Germany. “We must not procrastinate Nort Stream 2 For this conflict, ”German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said recently. The pipeline will benefit 26 million German households.
Under the pressure of Biden, the Chancellor Olaf Scholes Agrees to follow a strict course in relation to Moscow Nort Stream 2 Can enter the list of obstacles. Putin bets on the gap between speech and action Germany. The US president knows Russia Without breaking the German resistance at first.
French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholes meet at the Elysee Palace in Paris on December 10, 2021 – Photo: Sarah Maysonier / via Pool Reuters
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