Accusing NATO of “warmongering,” 60-year-old German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier flashed his hand of seeking to end U.S. and European Union economic sanctions on Russia. EU buys some 35% of petroleum and 30% of natural gas from Russia, giving the EU a strong incentive to placate Russia. When Putin seized Crimea March 1, 2014, the U.S. and EU, though reluctantly, slapped Russian with draconic economic sanctions. Several former Soviet satellites, including Estonia, Lativia and Lithuania, and Poland feared more bullying by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin’s all too willing to mobilize his land army to intimidate his neighbors, or in the case of Georgia in 2008 or Crimea in 2014, invading and annexing sovereign territory. “Anyone who thinks you can increase security in the alliance with symbolic parades of tanks near the eastern border, is mistaken,” said Steinmeier.
Steinmeier can’t have it both ways: Claiming Germany’s an active part of NATO but refusing to stand up to Russia’s territorial violations. If Putin pushed his way into German territory, Steinmeir would be the first screaming for NATO to repel the Russian advance. Former Soviet satellites have every right for concern, especially after Putin said recently Russia will never leave Crimea. Russia’s historical claim to Crimea is irrelevant. Once former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev gave Crimea to Ukraine Feb. 19, 1954, it became Ukraine’s sovereign territory. Steinmeier’s accusation of “war mongering” is more appropriately directed toward the Kremlin, who 100% backs Putin’s adventurism. “What we should avoid today is inflaming the situation or warmongering and stomping boots,” said Steinmeier in a clear warning to NATO that Germany’s heading in a different direction.
Beefing up NATO countries in Eastern Europe stems purely from recent Russian moves, always justified by Putin as defensive steps. Sitting in his office at the Kremlin, Putin sees the whole world as encroaching on Russia. Steinmeir’s harsh words toward NATO signal he’s worried about Britain’s June 23 Brexit vote, looking more-and-more, like the Brits have had enough. Whether Steinmeier likes it or not, NATO isn’t the only one engaged in military exercises, encroaching on neighbors’ borders. Russia, not NATO, has stationed or used unmarked forces to tyrannize the Donbass region of Southeastern Ukraine, essentially annexing more territory without an obvious invasion like in Crimea. Steinmeier sounds more like he works for the Kremlin than the EU’s most prosperous country. Responding to the needs in the Baltics and Poland, NATO isn’t out-of-line or saber-rattling.
Military exercises in Poland, including 31,000 U.S. troops, 12,000 from Poland and 1,000 from Britain simulating a Russian invasion aren’t designed to provoke, only contingency plan for Kremlin adventurism. “What we shouldn’t do now is inflame the situation further through saber-rattling and warmongering,” Steinmeier told the Bild am Sontag newspaper. “Whoever believes that a symbolic tank parade on the alliance’s eastern border will bring security, is mistaken. We are well-advised to not create pretexts to renew an old confrontation,” said Steinmeier, pointing fingers at the U.S. for continuing its Cold War policy. While there’s no question President Barack Obama has a poor relationship with Putin, it’s also true that Russia has pushed the limits in Georgia and Crimea. Steinmeirer acts like he’s ready to capitulate to any Russian violation of sovereignty or territorial integrity.
Calling NATO out for doing it’s job in Eastern Europe, Steinmeier raises new questions about Germany’s role in the EU if Britain bails out. Controlling the euro from the European Central Bank in Frankfurt already draw flack from Eurozone countries struggling with the common currency. While Greece was bailed out by the ECB to the tune of 130 billion euros Aug. 14, 2015, other Eurozone countries like Italy, Spain, Ireland and Portugal continue to struggle economically with the one-size-fits-all euro currency. Looking ahead to a possible collapse of the EU, Steinmeier wants other EU financial minister to end Russian sanctions. Steinmeier can’t possibly see NATO threatening Russia, no matter what kind of drills they stage in Eastern Europe. Putin sees Russia as under siege no matter what, providing the needed propaganda used to suppress the Russian people.
Steinmeirer’s off-the-wall comments about NATO “warmongering” give a real X-ray into Germany’s thinking at the highest level, that, if the EU collapses, they may have to partner more with Russia than the United States. Selling Germany over 30% of its petroleum and natural gas, there’s a comfortable fit between Germany and Russia. Steinmeier mentions nothing about Russian intimidation on the high seas from the Baltic to the Black Sea. When you look at Putin’s behavior, Steinmeier knows it’s the Kremlin, not NATO, that’s doing all the saber-rattling. Putin’s refusal to even consider giving back Georgia’s South Ossetia or Abkhazia or Ukraine’s Crimea proves that if NATO doesn’t stay strong, the Kremilin will target other sovereign states. Accusing NATO of “warmongering,” Steinmeier sends the exact wrong message to Putin: He’s at liberty to take whatever he wants.
