/ world today news/ Neither Germany nor Europe is interested in the Russian economy falling into chaos, said German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel in an interview with “Tagesspiegel”.
Therefore, according to Gabriel, the policy of continuing sanctions against Russia is wrong. According to him, the situation is now aggravated not only by the USA, which proposes that Ukraine become a member of NATO, but also by some other countries. Our goal is not to bring Russia to its knees, but to achieve a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizes the German Vice Chancellor.
He pointed out that Europe now needs a new rapprochement.
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi also spoke in favor of improving relations with Russia.
In an interview with an Italian newspaper, quoted by the RIA Novosti agency, Renzi emphasized that Russia has a strategic importance for Europe. According to him, one of the important tasks of 2015 should be the improvement of relations between Europe and Russia.
“I don’t approve of the euphoria of many in the EU about the success of sanctions against Russia. I don’t see any reasons for joy. I don’t see why we should be happy if the Russian economy collapses.” The warning came from Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann, who has resisted calls for tougher sanctions against Moscow. “We will cut off the branch we are sitting on if we erect a new wall for the Russian economy,” commented the Austrian chancellor in an interview in “Osterreich” Faymann.
Split in Europe over the sanctions
The EU is finding it increasingly difficult to agree on sanctions against Russia, and this week’s summit showed that. So far, Europe is united in its attitude towards Russia, but this unity is very fragile, notes “Di Zeit”. One of the reasons, the publication sees, is that EU countries must “oppose” Russia under different conditions: some depend more on Russia, others less. With the deepening of the conflict between the West and Russia, these differences are becoming more and more visible, therefore in the EU one can increasingly hear the opinion that the sanctions should be canceled or at least softened, adds “Di Zeit”. “Süddeutsche Zeitung” expresses a similar opinion. During the pre-Christmas summit, the leaders of the EU countries “came dangerously close to a split on the policy towards Russia, the publication said. It believes that the fall of the ruble and possible future economic problems of Russia will only increase the divisions in the EU. In its own ed “Die Welt” notes that although officially European leaders adhere to a single opinion when it comes to anti-Russian sanctions, some of them allow themselves to speak out against (sanctions).
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