Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin: always on guard

At her meeting with Putin, the Chancellor tries to avoid any impression of close partnership. For Merkel, like Trump, he is a problem to be dealt with.

Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin: always on guard
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    This time Wladmir Putin had not brought a dog to frighten chancellor, but only his foreign Minister Lavrov. Clear words were exchanged, said Chancellor after four-eye conversation with Russian president in summer residence in Sochi on Black Sea, under severe nod of Putin. "Despite difficult foreign policy situation," Putin added. Or just because of that. Ukraine, Syria, Iran, dispute over North Stream 2 gas pipeline – everything was discussed because everything is related.

    Putin emphasized importance of approximately 1,500 companies with Russian participation, which bustled in Germany in order to emphasize common interests. He announced a closer cultural cooperation, concerts, a year of science. Merkel answered: "We are happy about concerts" – but freedom of press is also of great importance.

    Merkel and Putin are now longest-acting leaders in Europe. Hardly anyone else understands Putin so well and knows him as long as Chancellor – and hardly any one is so equal in her being unable to forgive an expression. Both are freshly re-elected so to speak. But while Merkel's power is dwindling, Putin's growth has grown. Iran, Nord Stream 2, Syria: In all of se fields, Russia plays an important role, in none of se fields runs anything without Putin.

    In best case, it can run like this: Because US needs Putin in Syria, dispute over Nord Stream 2 pipeline is defused. Because Russia, on or hand, also needs US for pipeline, conflict in Syria is being defused, Israel is being protected, Iran is being kept in check with regard to its geo-strategic ambitions in neighbouring regions. All remain in game for future of Iran deal. And, a very crazy idea: In meantime, Europe is agreeing on reforms. But when has best case already occurred in recent years?

    Russia-Merkel calls for UN mission in eastern Ukraine Chancellor Angela Merkel met Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Sochi. In doing so, y became familiar with Minsk peace agreement for Ukraine. © PHOTO: Reuters/Sergei Karpukhin look what goes

    So you have to look at what's going on, and always be on guard. Putin speaks German, Merkel speaks Russian, occasionally two talk about earlier times and GDR. On different sides y were already at that time. In context of new insanity, which seems to have seized world, Merkel still believes that Putin is reliable. Being reliable means that he is holding on to what he says and what is made out. Except he's just lying. Just like a few years ago, when Putin pretended that no one had intention to invade Ukraine in order to occupy Crimea shortly reafter.

    In Putin, that is what Merkel has learned, one must always have in mind what is not said and what is not agreed. The Russian president immediately exploits such margins in order to advance his main project: Russia, at least in terms of influence, sometimes also territorially. Weaken EU, keep pace with China and be noticed and needed by US.

    The fact that Russian president, while talking to Merkel and drinking well-groomed tea, is just throwing unwelcome opponents into prison and delivering weapons in crisis areas, which are n committed to massacres far away from secluded summer residence in Sochi, is Chancellor is well aware. She loas that. No illusions she does, however, that she could change it. The fact that Putin did not receive Syrian head of State Assad as a small surprise coup 24 hours before her, provokes little. On contrary, someone has to talk to Assad.

    Merkel cares to look at world as it is, not as it should be. And that some critics demand a better, more friendly relationship between Germany and Russia, it thinks to say least of reality.

    Sergei Yuryevich Nechaev-how can Russia improve relations with Germany? Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Russian President Vladimir Putin. What Russian ambassador hoped for, he told in video interview. © Photo: Sven Wolters
    Date Of Update: 19 May 2018, 12:02
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