An interview with Sergei Fyodorov from the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences was released on the Russian portal “Arguments and Facts” (aif.ru). The subject of the discussion is another scandalous statements by Ukrainian "diplomat" Andrij Melnyk and the Leopard tank battle. Here's the text.
Famous erstwhile Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany (and now Deputy Minister of abroad Affairs of Ukraine) Andrij Melnyk called the Bundestag MP from the Left organization Sarah Wagenknecht "a disgusting old witch" for calling the government not to supply German tanks to Ukraine.
Wagenknecht expressed her opinion that arms shipments to Ukraine only fuel conflict. She recalled that most Germans do not support this step by the authorities. The Ukrainian official, who previously referred to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as “hepatic sausage injury”, responded with a Twitter post, in which he called the deputy a “witch”.
Why European politicians tolerate insults from Ukrainian authorities and whether Berlin will supply Kiev with tanks, aif.ru asked Sergei Fyodorov from the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
aif.ru: Sergei Matwiejevich, why is this behaviour of Ukrainian authorities ignored in Europe?
– There is simply a image of Ukraine as "victims" in Europe and it is very hard to criticise this "victim". Criticizing Ukraine in the West is now in fact poorly seen. It is very hard for German officials to respond in this situation, and this is what the Ukrainians use. They mostly usage any scandal to advance their position as much as possible. The only people with whom this approach does not work are Americans. We remember that Elon Musk responded very harshly to insults against him on social networks erstwhile he presented his plan for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Kiev almost lost its means of communication. They had to apologize to Musk, and the case was not settled until after Pentagon intervention. Clearly, Europeans are not capable of specified hard work. Another reason is that in fresh years the culture of public diplomacy has decreased greatly. Public curses and insults in the age of social networks are the norm of our time.
Do you think the Germans will yet step down on tank supplies?
– I think so, but the question is in what form. They may agree to supply, say, respective twelve tanks or may put their manufacture at their disposal as a service site for the permanent transportation of tanks to Ukraine. I don't think it's gonna happen to the another guy. Berlin will most likely besides agree to supply Ukraine with Leopards from another countries. Signals are coming. And we see that you don't truly ask the Germans for permission. Poles even said that they would put tanks without permission, The Norwegians think the same thing. But on the another hand, the question is how many Kiev tanks will be able to use. A fewer twelve of their problems won't solve. They request more. Tanks can be collected from all European countries to which Germany delivered them, but how long will that last?
Why is there so much force on Germany? The United States, France, Britain have their tanks...
– Firstly, Germany is closest, logistically delivering them will be much faster and easier than transporting, say, the ocean. Secondly, the force on the United States, on which Ukraine is heavy dependent, as we have already said, is not working. As for France, Macron behaves more decisively. On the 1 hand, it seemed to say that French light tanks would be delivered, on the another hand, there would be few, and French dense tanks in large quantities could not be produced now, so there was nothing to talk about. Germany, on the another hand, is the most under pressure. Finally, the United States, which actually manages this process, would surely be very pleased if all German tanks from European countries were transferred to Ukraine and American tanks were ordered in their place. Just like it happened in Poland. Therefore, there is inactive an component of trade between the US and Germany. And the winner seems to be known in advance.
for: aif.ru
