Suchergebnisse

Adapted from the source document.

Developments in Russian politics are increasingly criticized in the West, & a discussion over Germany's eastern policy is overdue as Schroder's approach has generated uneasy tones among neighbors & allies. Yet it is important to recognize that the disintegration of the Russian empire occurred peacefully (unlike most) & the enormous uncertainty that the majority of the population faces requires reason rather than emotional accusations. Although the western public & many of its diplomats favor central & eastern European nations over Russia in controversial situations, a look at Georgia & Ukraine shows that the situation is not so clearly black & white. In addition to traditional means of coercion, Russia uses substantial lucrative integration, though tension remains due more to the closeness of the relationship & psychological factors than the content of Russian policies. Germany & the EU should avoid one sided positions on controversial subjects. All else is counterproductive & leads only to nationalistic tendencies on both sides. Anti-Russian policies are in no ones best interests. L. Reed