Germany embarrassed as Europe pulls out of Russia-US talks
(Baonghean.vn) - Europe's decision to withdraw from the talks between Russia and the US on security guarantees is shameful, Sigmar Gabriel, who once held the positions of Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of Germany, said in an interview with Tagesspiegel newspaper.
According to German politicians, countriesEuropeneed to consult with Moscow and not cede the initiative to Washington.
“I am ashamed that many in Europe are acting as if nothing has happened, after being so excited to see the United States once again enter into negotiations on a pressing issue,” Gabriel stressed. The former German foreign minister said that the passive stance of European leaders “plays well with the Kremlin.”
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Former German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel. Photo: AP |
"In fact, we are confirming the position of the Russian leadership that Europe is only an object of negotiations, and does not play any role itself," - the politician concluded.
Mr. Gabriel compared the negotiations between Russia and the United States to the division of spheres of influence in Europe after World War II and before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
At the end of 2021, Russia announced a draft treaty with the US and an agreement with NATO on security assurances. Specifically, Moscow asked Western partners to provide legal guarantees that NATO would not expand further to the East, would not allow Ukraine to join the bloc, and would not establish military bases in post-Soviet countries./.