LOS ANGELES (OC).–German authorities sent out a warning to the public to avoid contact with anyone trying to secure intelligence for the Russian Federation, seeking to recruit in Germany a network of unofficial spies to sabotage the German state. Calling the recruitment of ordinary citizens “disposable agents,” Germany’s Federal Criminal Polic office said they were working with the country’s domestic, foreign and military intelligence services are increasingly concerned about Russian espionage. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, without mentioning it directly, is staunchly against any attempt by President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to coax Ukraine into a settlement that involves trading land-for-peace. Merz has his reasons but clearly he’s caught up in the Russophobia that sweeps Germany, fearing Russia recruits a stealth army of unsuspecting German saboteurs.
German officials say they’ve detected increased espionage and spying activity, leading up to the Feb. 24, 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Using “low level agents,” German authorities fear that Russia has recruited an army of untrained saboteurs, something German officials call “disposable agents,” creating the kind of paranoia in Germany preventing Merz from signing on to any peace deal. Merz has been pushing for a 30-day ceasefire and direct talks between Ukraine’s 47-year-old President Volodymyr Zelensky and 72-year-old Russian President Vladimir Putin. Merz has said recently that he opposes any settlement that involves Ukraine trading land-for-peace, a basic condition to end the war. Zelensky thinks after engaging the Russian Federation in war for three-and-a-half years there are no consequences when it comes to going to war.
So, if you look at the backdrop in Germany, there’s widespread Russophobia, justified or not, that Russia has been recruiting German citizens to serve as agents to undermine the German state. German officials said “low level” or “disposable agents,” prompting German police to launch a nationwide campaign called “Don’t become a disposable agent,” trying to reach the public before they’re exploited by Russia’s FSB spy agency. German officials said the “low level” or “disposable agents” carry a penalty of “anti-Constiutional sabotage,” carrying up to five years in prison. With an atmosphere like that, how’s Merz supposed to do anything but continue the Ukraine War, even if it risks WW III or nuclear war on the European Continent? Merz has bought completely Zelensky’s gaslighting that Putin has his sights on other EU countries once he ends his campaign in Ukraine.
Trump has not figured out why there’s so much opposition in the European Union to his peace proposals with Putin. Now we know the real reason behind Merz’s warmongering or refusal to engage in a meaningful peace process requiring both sides to negotiate-and-compromise to end the war. Trump was within 90% with Putin of a peace deal that would work to end the war until Zelensky went to the EU, in particular French President Emmanuel Macron, Merz and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They all agreed with Zelensky that he wants Russia to leave Ukrainian soil before any sort of peace deal could be negotiated. So, with Macron, Merz and Starmer they’ve agreed to continue the Ukraine War as long as necessary to get Putin to return all of Ukraine’s sovereign territory. EU’s approach to peace all but sabotages Trump’s peace efforts with Putin.
Beyond Ukraine, Macron, Merz and Starmer are really worried about their own security if Russia is allowed to get any territory from Ukraine. EU officials see Ukraine as a launching pad for Putin to start to take more European territory, even though EU countries are covered by NATO. Zelensky has made his entrance into NATO a top priority, often provoking Putin. Trump, for his part, has ruled out Ukraine as part of NATO, knowing he’s at war with the Kremlin, but knowing Putin’s strong objections. Zelensky has been told by NATO he doesn’t quality for NATO membership, largely because he’s at war with the Kremlin, but, more importantly, that Ukraine doesn’t quality as a democracy. So when it comes to NATO, Zelensky wants security assurances in the form of a NATO Article 5 protection, something the EU has discussed recently.
With Russophobia sweeping Germany, concerned about FSB recruiting amateur spies around the country, it’s no wonder that Merz isn’t inclined toward making peace with Russia. Merz, Macron and Starmer all fear that Putin would want to take over more European countries, maybe the Baltic States or Poland. “They are used and then thrown away,” the German police said about low-level Russian spies. “Don’t become a disposable agent,” warned the police, concerned that enough German citizens have been recruited into Russia’s FSB foreign security service. Merz and his EU friends have not disclosed the real reason they oppose concession with Putin. EU officials believe that Putin seeks to seize more sovereign territory in Europe. EU officials have no facts for their allegations but it certainly leaves Merz not interested in compromising with Putin.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
