In contacts of Russia and Germany “should not prevail silence” because of “some practical problems”. This was stated by foreign Minister of Germany Heiko Maas after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. The German diplomat noted that the two countries should “speak openly.”
Maas attention paid to arms control in the world and stressed the importance of extending the start Treaty III. The Minister also made it clear that in matters of energy “no state can by using threats” to dictate policy to the EU. Lavrov, in turn, noted that Moscow considers Washington’s sanctions against the project “Northern stream — 2” is “illegal”.
According to analysts, Germany is trying to build balanced relations with both Russia and the United States. Analysts add that another area for constructive dialogue between Moscow and Berlin has created a pandemic coronavirus.
Pandemic coronavirus has complicated the German-Russian exchange not only at the level of Ministers of foreign Affairs, but in the line of many initiatives and formats. This was stated by foreign Minister of Germany Heiko Maas during a joint press conference following talks with Minister of foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov promised to take all possible measures for the normalization of relations between the two countries.
“At the foreign policy dossier, we saw the pandemic and coronaries complicated our work… But we will do everything to ensure that as soon as possible to return to the level of our exchange on the political level and in the spheres of economy, science and culture,” said Maas.
According to him, “silence must not reign in relations” Berlin and Moscow.
“And it does (it shouldn’t happen. — RT) because of some practical problems. Very well, where need to talk, to speak openly. In the past we always did it and were reported,” — he recalled.
The German Minister paid special attention to arms control, emphasizing that “the time is short”.
“the United States and Russia bear a special responsibility (in. — RT), with regard to the non-proliferation Treaty and the strengthening of its regime. Therefore, today we are talking about how to take necessary, for example, renewal of the start Treaty III. This will give us time in order to engage China in arms control, because it really needs to be done. Really important that the trends in the context of arms control, which go in the wrong direction, not increased,” — said Heiko Maas.
Recall, Beijing has repeatedly noted that is not interested in dialogue of this kind. The Russian side, in turn, declared that respects the decision of China.
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Another topic of the meeting was the implementation of the project “With��the right thread — 2”, which is actively campaigning against US.
“From the economic side we have focused on the completion of the construction of the gas pipeline “Nord stream — 2″. Of course, take account of the unprecedented sanctions pressure from the United States. We appreciate the German position, the principled position in support of this purely commercial initiative, which will help to diversify the routes of natural gas supplies and strengthen energy security of Europe on the basis of those estimates, which Europe itself, the European countries themselves endure, and not on the basis of estimates made from overseas,” said Sergei Lavrov.
While Moscow and Berlin opposed the extraterritorial sanctions of the United States affecting the construction of the pipeline. Heiko Maas called such actions of Washington “the wrong way”.
“And in the end, it is our sovereign decision where we will buy the energy. No state can use threats to dictate the energy policy of the European Union. And here at the EU level we also discuss how the extraterritorial sanctions violate international law,” said Maas, adding that the importance of the transatlantic link.
Sergei Lavrov, in turn, said that Moscow considers Washington’s restrictions were “illegal”, stressing that “the United States do not see any red lines” and pursue “without any diplomatic clearance roughly one simple goal — the United States should have the right to do whatever they please”.
It is worth noting that on the eve of the meeting of the foreign Ministers of Russia and Germany one of the European partners of the “Nord stream — 2”, a German company Uniper, published a report that allowed the failure of the project due to the expected new U.S. sanctions.
“Since the United States are increasing efforts to impose targeted sanctions in relation to the project “Northern stream — 2″, increases the risk that construction of the pipeline will be delayed or not completed,” — said in a statement.
Thus in Uniper noted that Nord Stream 2 is working on mitigating the consequences of the suspension of work on the laying of pipes, and a number of European countries and the European Union provide substantial political support.
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It should be noted that working visit of the Meuse, in Russia — its second trip outside of the EU after the weakening of the restrictive measures imposed because of the pandemic. Before departure to Moscow, the German foreign Minister told reporters that relations between Germany and Russia is “too important to let them slide”.
As reported earlier, the German newspaper Die Welt, the Meuse was to bring to Moscow a joint letter from the European businessmen with the request to open Gras��Itza Russia. In the publication it was noted that EU companies for the fifth month suffer huge losses due to coronavirus-related restrictions. The mutual opening of borders could have a beneficial impact on investment projects and maintenance projects, the newspaper writes.
Commenting on the recent statement of the head of German diplomacy, RT interviewed experts stated that the current building policy, Berlin, on the one hand, “beeps on building economic cooperation,” and on the other “makes it clear that Moscow has some differences on political issues”.
The analysts note “the evidence” strong US influence on Germany in the context of its relations with Russia.
“in addition, in Germany there are different interest groups: in addition to business focused on Russia, there is a Pro-American lobby, which wanted Germany followed strictly in the footsteps of Washington. Moreover, we should not forget that Germany and the United States share membership in NATO and bilateral relations, including economic,” — said in an interview with RT’s senior research fellow, Centre for European studies, IMEMO RAS Vladimir olenchenko.
Leading researcher of the Center for German studies Institute of Europe Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Kamkin, in turn, said that Berlin “is forced to maneuver between the economic desirability of relations with Russia and fulfillment of obligations to Washington”, but aimed at a constructive dialogue with Russia.
“the US is a major market for German high-tech products. But the German economy is still export-oriented, therefore, to sever ties with Washington Berlin, of course, will not. However, Germany will try to build a balanced policy, taking into account peculiarities of the Russian-German and German-American vector,” — predicted the situation Kamkin in an interview with RT.
In his opinion, this will contribute primarily to the fact that the US position on the “Nord stream — 2” “does not suit Berlin.”
“It is a nervous TIC from German politicians. And this topic is, indeed, grist to the mill of improving Russian-German relations”, — said the analyst.
Vladimir olenchenko adheres to the similar point of view. He believes that Berlin and Moscow “will be able to overcome the opposition of the United States regarding the construction of the pipeline”.
“I am confident that this project will be implemented, despite all obstacles which are put in his way Washington,” said the analyst.
Alexander Kamkin also believes that, despite “very strong pressure” from the American side, “Berlin will make every effort to complete the project.”
“Nextishkom many political and economic effort has been expended by all parties — participants of the consortium, to now suddenly give up,” says Kamkin.
Analysts also agreed that the pandemic coronavirus has created new direction for intensification of the mutually beneficial partnership between Moscow and Berlin.
“This is the joint work on the development of vaccines, the development of a General quarantine measures. Moreover, many are now talking about the possibility of a second wave of the pandemic. There is definitely something to work on together. And the situation with COVID-19 just might provide such a test of trust, test of strength in the inter-state Russian-German relations”, — says Kamkin.
Vladimir olenchenko predicts that “the crisis will further enhance the interest of German business ties with Russia.”
“Berlin will try to promote their products to the Russian market, so as to overcome their own difficulties”, — concluded the expert.
