Uncomfortable Truths: Only Dialogue Can Ease Moscow-Berlin Tensions

[sysop]

Relations between Moscow and Berlin are particularly chilly ahead of the Petersburg Dialogue, a biannual meeting of politicians, businessmen, and civil-society representatives from Russia and Germany. Both sides will have no choice but to talk, listen and swallow some uncomfortable truths.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...-a-867217.html

[powermeerkat]

"Nikonov, the grandson of former Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov, is capable of using his brilliant sarcasm to accuse Germany of double standards until it's painful."




Speaking of double standards, Mr. Nikonov, do you remember shamful Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (with its Secret Protocol) which made it possible for both, III Reich and USSR (then staunch allies) to start WWII by invading and carving among themselves- POLAND?

[how soon they forget!!!]

[ronald_thomas_west]

One [not mentioned] uncomfortable truth would be the Russians have every right to suspect foreign NGOs as destabilizing factors. This is a legacy of the CIA anyone can read up on with a simple google search: "Phillip Agee, Freedom House"

After Russia had been looted under Yeltsin, and the USA NGOs were right there to move Russia to 'Democracy' and the 'Free Market', it is small wonder there is a great degree of mistrust. The Russian people are not so stupid as to believe the West is innocent in these matters, it our own myopia suffers a false sense of injury-

[Yuri_Kyiv]

So, Germany does not like Russia any more. At the same time chanselor Merkel all but stoped signing EU co-operation agreement with Ukraine. It looks like Germany decided to mess up with both the largest Eastern European countries at the same time. Does it look like somebody else's policy? You bet! If one wants to preserve intelectual integrity one will have to call this policy hitleresque. For it was Hitler who, simultaneously, entered into war with Russia and denounces Ukrainian independence.
The same quality - intelectual hornesty - require that Germany openly admitts complete banckruptcy of it pro-Russian Eastern European policy, which is associated with former chancelor Shreuder. It is time to realise that there is no way to influence present Russian regime but by way of force. That was understood by admiral Canaris. That was understood by Reagan. It is time chancelor Merkel gets to understand this too.