“I don’t think much of demonizing Russia. I consider Russia as part of Europe,” Mr. Schröder told Der Spiegel. He did not say whether Moscow considers large chunks of Europe as part of Russia.
Merkel’s position seems more nuanced: 8/18 “Georgia Will Join Nato”; 8/20 “Russia’s Actions ‘Disproportionate.'” It is certainly above my pay grade to figure out what is going on; the peace treaty is signed as Georgian soldiers are captured and the Russians move toward Tblisi; Condi Rice, the Secretary of State of the most powerful nation in the world, sounds stern and strong-willed, but to little effect. Schroeder is but a minor irritation, but he seems representative of those who land on their feet in a consistent but not particularly attractive way – whether cushioned by Saddam or Putin.
Well, of course, ex-Chancellor Schroeder made sure that Germany had somewhat fewer options in dealing with Russia than it would have done otherwise. Chancellor Merkel had to go along with some of those ideas but it looks like the words “power” and “nuclear” and “develop” are beginning to be used in Germany.
It took them a decade to dig the hole they’re in now, what are the chances they’ll make the whole decade it’ll take to dig out without the greens suddenly changing their minds again?