Reinhard Krumm, head of the Vienna office of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung about the European dream that Russia destroyed.
The EU and Germany have no alternative but to build relationships “with the largest country on earth,” says Krumm. Europe can act as partners, competitors or even adversaries. In his opinion, there are 3 assumptions that should be considered in view of the existing tensions: relations with Russia are stable, this state is in a state of political and economic decline, and long-term security risks are low. Krumm says that none of this is true.
He casts doubt on forecasts of the collapse of the Russian economy. Even the sanctions, which increased pressure on the Russian economy, did not kill it.
Russia is ready to challenge the West and take risks, including out of a sense of justice, the German believes. And this is not in the interests of Germany and the European Union. He called on Europe to look to its own security interests.
The dream that Russia, due to political and economic difficulties, will back down and turn its gaze to the West again will not come true, Krumm is sure. He believes that thinking paralysis has come to the EU.
– .
