Baiba Zile
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
As the conclusion of the Nord Stream 2 project approaches, clashes have started appearing in the media. Several media outlets have published information on the true goals of the Russian-German project. While a part of the public is 100% certain that the project is the Kremlin’s tool of influence, others have rushed to defend it saying that Nord Stream 2 has only economic intentions that will help Germany in ensuring long-term stability.
As much as I would like to believe the positive scenario, facts suggest otherwise. Aside from the Kremlin acquiring greater control of Germany’s energy sphere and its policies, Russia’s influence will also permeate other EU countries.
Despite EU nations being sovereign and able to make their own decisions based on the needs of their citizens, there are some issues that affect other countries. One of such issues is the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, as it allows the Kremlin to take part not only in Germany’s energy policies, but the energy policies of the entire Europe, giving Russia some amount of influence on different energy matters.
The Kremlin’s propaganda has already started showing signs of increasing influence. In early March, the Kremlin’s lie agency Sputnik published an opinion by Russian political expert Aleksandr Nosovich (Александр Носович) stating that Lithuania should hold back from criticizing Nord Stream 2, since it receives economic support from Germany.
He argued that the statement made by Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonite that Nord Stream 2 is linked with the Kremlin’s geopolitical influence in Europe, as well as the dependence of some EU countries from Russia, is ridiculous and that Lithuania is punching above its weight. He expressed that the influence of Lithuania in the EU is minuscule, while Germany is a powerhouse. He explained that Simonite’s opinion means nothing and was said only to give the impression that Lithuania somehow matters to the EU, when in reality Lithuania is so irrelevant that it’s unable to influence any EU decision. He also added that because Lithuania receives economic support from Germany via different EU funds, it has no right to criticize anyone.
Nosovich indirectly stated that no other EU member is as influential as Germany, which in turn indirectly asserts that the cooperation between Russian and Germany will increase Russia’s influence on Europe’s energy issues.
These and similar harsh statements are nothing new coming from the Kremlin’s disinformation agents. However, the Kremlin keeps denying that it’s attempting to influence the EU’s political agenda or stability. But past events prove the opposite.
In 2009, Russia cut off all gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine which left more than a dozen countries without heating in the middle of December. This had consequences for the entire continent. Some countries with significant gas reserves were able to pass the winter without problem, but others were left with no central heating and other resources that depended on gas deliveries. Despite Germany having notable gas reserves, it still endured difficult moments, but it seems that now no one dares to talk about this incident.
The political foundations of several European countries have been now replaced by a principle of double standards. German authorities passionately insist that Russia has no intention of ceasing or decreasing gas deliveries, therefore it has no influence – after all, it’s just a pipeline at the bottom of the sea. However, no one is talking about this being a powerful tool of influence for the Kremlin.
Just as no one expected the annexation of Crimea or military intervention in Georgia along with other unexpected “we will never do this again” incidents. The only difference is that in the case of Nord Stream 2 it will not be just Germany or Berlin that will suffer – a large part of Europe will feel negative consequences. Similar to the psychological tests on choosing the lesser of two evils – would you kill a single person instead of five people if there was no other option? It seems that Germany has made its choice and went with the greater of two evils, i.e. to save itself (its economy) while throwing everyone else under the bus.
What concerns Lithuania and its influence, Nosovich’s statements are unfounded – the EU is a union of 27 countries that operates on the basis of different regulations, including the Treaty of Lisbon that stipulates that all member states are equal and engage in loyal cooperation.
All EU members contribute to the EU budget and the size of contributions is divided justly according to each member state’s resources. Moreover, Germany itself benefits from EU funds that are used to implement different projects. But the Kremlin’s disinformation crew doesn’t care for the fact that their statements are incorrect or misleading, the main narrative has already been spread – Germany is the most influential power in Europe and Russia currently is one of the main administrators of Germany’s resources.
Sources:
https://lt.sputniknews.ru/radio/20210311/14654720/Nosovich-poluchaya-ot-Germanii-dengi-Litva-roet-yamu-Severnomu-potoku—2.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28515983
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html
https://www.statista.com/statistics/316691/eu-budget-contributions-by-country/
https://ec.europa.eu/budget/euprojects/search-projects_en?keywords=&country=DE&nuts=All&postal_code=&programme_name=All&budget_contribution=All&timeframe_start=All&timeframe_end=All&highlights=1&op=Apply&hash=36303462323063313466353637
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Really?
The Berlin crew of civil servants are how can we say…?
Inept?
Arriviste Schaerden.
Ad hominem Baiba Zile
Honey pie you are way out of your depth.
All replies welcome.
Probably one of those newly energized ‘Greens’ sprouting their shoots.
RFERL in Prague are always hiring:
Rikard Jozwiak is your contact Baiba.
Good looking young man…the ultimate male “honey trap”
eu-walks-back-embarrassing-claim-150000-russian-troops-near-ukraine-border
Rock and Roll?
For those who do not worship the “uebermensch”
https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/thomaspaine?selected=ADV9358975629
first the Deep state gets some muppet to come on here and say nord is anti green — then you appear: implicitly stoking inter racial disharmony and national antagonisms, while pretending to be performing a public service.
I’ve long ago seen off the folly of calling you shameless hypocrites — you have no emotion that enables you to feel shame. And hypocrisy is not hypocrisy if practised on people you despise and feel no connection with – which in this case means all the peoples of Europe.
Let them post…part of the media….we want free expression.
If they want to come back the more the better.
Meanwhile…in other existential matters.
Update: indemnity for the vaccine manufacturers
Well if they use tri-ethylene glycol in the liqour…
Might as well piss in the vats…
UK Column News – 21st April 2021
What a stupid vile piece of total russophobe BS propaganda crap full of nonsense and flat out lies!! As a matter of fact the majority of Germans, including myself, support the NS2 project and a majority of Germans don’t trust anything what’s propagated in the MSM that’s why we use to call them ‘Lügenpresse’ they total infiltrated by corrupt transatlantic trolls shills and serial bullshitter + gaslighter and are total useless. Germany [West-Germany back then] buys hydrocarbons from the Russian [USSR back then] since the late ’70s and the AmeriCunts tried to sabotage the business relation since then, in contrast… Read more »
Greens are probably another deep state project. You should vet them properly.
Very eloquent and accurate assessment of the situation. It is NO ONE’S business, (least of all America’s) on what Business the Germans conduct with the Russians, period. The FACT that the Americans are trying to screw with the deal vis a vis Russia/Germany so THEY can flog off their DIRTIER and far more expensive gas, is so transparent a blind person could see what they are doing, but apparently not some of these quasi journalists. It’s no concern of Poland/ Cech or even the Ukraine, though the latter stand to loose a lot of money they have been freeloading of… Read more »
I love your response and the expletives are so very appropriate. Well done!
RE: 2009 gas cutoff
“………..but it seems that now no one dares to talk about this incident.”
That’s because you European eunuchs are afraid to state the obvious, Ukraine’s blackmailing, refusal to pay arrears and its gas syphoning.
What phony baloney bs, this clown propagates. Goodbye, clown.
That was the reason Merkel proposed the NS2 idea in the first place. Despite the NS2 ideations base, NS2 is no German State neither an EU Project, it’s a Private Comercial Joint Venture of a Russian, two German, a Dutch, a French and a Austrian Company.
NS2 is simply a matter of survival for German industry, lest its remaining assets complete their move to China and even Russia where cheaper gas produces major competitive advantages, or eventually lose out entirely to their domestic competitors to be.
Is this author a true capitalist or some card-carrying clown?
By that scenario, no matter which way NS2 goes, it’s an eventual win-win situation for Russia.
I’d say the latter.
Some say that journalists are failed politicians and politicians are failed professionals, so that puts most journalists on par with the doorman of my building, who also has an annoying habit of spreading gossip as fact.
What a load of demented anti Russian propaganda! Why is the Duran publishing this nonsense?
To keep the juices flowing
This Article is a 100% Joke. After WW2 the German Culture and Industry were destroyed under the Morganthau Policy.
They were heavily supervised by the 4×2 post war policies.
Anyone thinking the Germans run their own shop are total noodles. This gas from Russia will make the Soviet / Bolshevik coffers rich with a real currency. This article is 100% PR spin