Thread by @andersostlund

Germany's original sin is that didn't use all its powers to push back against aggression from the very beginning. It should have learnt this lesson after WWII.
ft.com/content/25b54d…

Where Germany got the idea about a strategic partnership with Russia from is also a mystery to me. My Mother always told me to never associate with criminals. Germany should have known this too. It was obvious what kind of Putin is even before he became president.

Further, even if Germany liked to see Nord Stream 1 and 2 as commercial energy projects it was obvious they were Molotov - Ribbentrop part II for Russia. A knife is lethal even if it can also be used to cut potatoes.

Some say Scholz is worse than Merkel but keep in mind it was Merkel who approved Nord Stream 2 within a year after Russia started the war against Ukraine in 2014. Nord Stream 2 was probably seen as a nod of approval in Moscow.

That Schröder wasn't ostracized for working for Russia years ago shows a fundamental moral problem within the German Social Democratic Party, SPD. A moral deficit of sorts.

Now there are signs that Germany might finally come around and maybe finally start to oppose Russia. But that it should take a war in Georgia, eight years of war in Ukraine and almost an outbreak of a major war in Europe for that to happen is remarkable.

Germany's place in Europe, as the leading economy with the largest population, should be that of a moral and concrete leader of Europe. Germany should take responsibility and set good examples for others to follow, not be a drag and shy away from pulling its weight.

If Germany finally took the role as a leader in Europe things would change dramatically and those changes would benefit us all, not the least Germany. A prosperous, democratic and secure Europe is good for all of us.