German policies towards Russia were defined not by some "guilt complex" about WWII and not by pacifism. This explanation just sounds nice. "Yes, we have made some stupid decisions, but it is because we are good people!"
No.
No.
German Russophilia is not a product of guilt; it is not a manifestation of pacifism. It is even not entirely about greed and profit. It is about imperialism. We can even talk about "imperial", not "imperialistic" way of thinking.
Eastern Europe was divided between Empires:
German Reich, Austria-Hungary, Russia and in some way Ottoman Empire. Now there are only Russia and Germany, which dominates the EU (and Erdogan is trying to make some neo-Ottomanist comeback).
German Reich, Austria-Hungary, Russia and in some way Ottoman Empire. Now there are only Russia and Germany, which dominates the EU (and Erdogan is trying to make some neo-Ottomanist comeback).
The future of Eastern Europe has been and in many ways still is defined by the Empires, not by Easter Europeans themselves. Germans can not imagine that you can talk to Ukraine about political and military alliances without talking to Russia.
Empires are easily "accepted" as they are, even if they do awful and inhumane things to their own people and neighbours. And former vassal states have to behave in an ideal way to deserve an acceptance and a right to sit at the same table with "real people".
Good example: Russian diplomats, literally, defecate on stage and rub their shit in the faces of the EU politicians. Their behaviour is more insulting than any GG Allin performance. They advocate war crimes and genocide and they do it for many years.
Russians can behave as they wish, and they still get respect and dialogue. Ukrainian diplomats are being ton-policied. Ukrainians should be kind and gentle and behave well even while they are literally being killed.
Russian officials openly say that they don't believe that Ukraine is a real country. Sadly, in Germany they think the same, just don't put it so far. They still believe that such a concept as "Russian zone of interests" is legit. They forget real people living in this "zone".
That's why Lindner wanted to wait a few days for the defeat of Ukraine. He did not imagine that Ukraine could fight back, "a vassal state" could not defeat an "Empire". It is not about military expertise; it is about failure to accept Ukraine as an independent entity.
And now, when the Ukrainian army beats the Russians in the field and on the sea, Germany also feels hurt. The very idea of the fellow Empire being defeated and dismantled is very traumatic for Germans.
That's why they are being so pissed about Zelensky's attitude towards Steinmeier. The Comedian did not just violate diplomatic protocols or some good manners rules. He broke the hierarchy of vassals and masters.
The most insulting thing was to meet representatives from Poland and Baltic states, while, a great and powerful Germany, was left out. These Ukrainians are killing Russian soldiers better than anybody in history. They don't respect other Empires as well. What next? Anarchy? 🏴
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