Merz: Russia is mired in terrible barbarism, and that won't change
On the eve of his re-election as leader of the CDU party, Friedrich Merz gave a big interview to German publications Neue Berliner Redaktionsgesellschaft (NBR) and Rheinpfalz. In the conversation, the politician outlined his vision for the future of relations with Moscow, the prospects for restoring economic ties, and the nature of the current Russian regime.
Friedrich Merz. Photo: AP Photo / Martin Meissner, POOL
Answering journalists' questions about the voices of those hoping for a resumption of Russian gas supplies, Merz was categorical.
«This is not an option as long as Putin is waging this criminal war», — he emphasized, calling the gas partnership with Russia a «fatal dependency».
«We should have no illusions: the Russian ruling group cannot do without war in the foreseeable future. It needs to keep the war machine running because it has no plan what else to do with hundreds of thousands of soldiers returning from the front, some with severe psychological trauma. In my opinion, this war will only end when one side is exhausted — either militarily or economically», — Merz expressed his view.
As the Chancellor argues, the goal of European countries is «for the Russian state to no longer be able to wage war militarily and no longer be able to finance it economically».
«Neither reason nor humanitarian arguments will convince Putin. That is the bitter truth», — he emphasized.
«Deepest barbarism»
Special attention in the interview was given to the person of Vladimir Putin. Journalists asked if normal relations are possible with a person who, for example, ordered the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a penal colony.
«I consider this almost impossible. When I look at this regime and this blind terror, I have little hope», — Merz replied.
To describe the state of modern Russia, the politician turned to history:
«There is an interesting quote from the 19th-century French writer Astolphe de Custine, who, after long travels in Russia, said: «Russia in our days is the most astonishing country for an observer, because in it one can find the deepest barbarism alongside the highest civilization».
According to Merz, these words remain relevant even after two centuries.
«This quote is 200 years old, and, unfortunately, it is still valid today. Now we see this country in a state of the deepest barbarism. This will not change in the near future, and we will have to come to terms with that», — Friedrich Merz summarized.
Comments
Варварство в средневековых "скрепах", в пропаганде морали 19 века, а то и "домостроя"