US sanctions against Russia cost billions of euros for EU - expert Description: US sanctions against Russia cost billions of euros for EU - expert
© Collage: Voice of Russia
The German Government has deferred a decision on granting Russian export
licenses to the Defense and Space Department of Airbus Group because of
Crimeas incorporation into Russia. Thats according to Bloomberg citing
sources familiar with the negotiation.
The move freezes the sale of satellite technology worth as much as 700
million euros. It impacts talks between Russia and Airbus over the sale of
so-called SAR orbiters which operate unique radar technology the source
said adding that the talks are now at an advanced stage. The Voice of
Russia discussed this issue with Christoph Hoerstel, a government consultant
and publicist in Germany.
This move come as a surprise for the two sides that are involved in the
negotiations which weve heard have actually gone to a very advanced stage.
Was it a well-planned move?
Well, Im not sure whether the Bloomberg report is correct. We dont have
any reconfirmation about that. We have a very astonished expert in Germany,
high up in the German foreign policy society who declared that he is
astonished about this, because he was talking to this biggest arms
manufacturer in Europe just two days ago, on Thursday and he didnt hear
anything about this kind of blocking of a deal done after four years of
negotiations. This is Mr. Bulcke. So, Im not very sure whether this is
final.
But we have a new development that Ukraine has declared that it will stop
paying for gas unless there is a new negotiation about the price. And that
is quite interesting.
Most certainly! You said that you were actually quite surprised, and not
just yourself, about this Bloomberg report. Is there any reason to believe
that the report might not be correct?
It is very clear that we have a situation where the US is at odds with
Europe, because the US wants much stronger sanctions and Obama doesnt let a
day pass without declaring that recently. And Europe is very hesitant to
follow suit, because, of course, it damages our businesses, it costs
billions of euros if we stop short. And in Germany, for that matter, we have
something like a big front against the sanction policy by NATO countries
with the likes of Siemens or Volkswagen who declared we will not do any
sanctions against Russia, that is unprecedented after the WW II.
Very interesting information. So, how important this agreement for Russia
really is? And how important is it for both sides? What do both sides stand
to lose?
This is a very good question. Both sides lose equally. It is very important
for Russia. It is also militarily usable, I think, because this radar can
look through smog and smoke. And it is a big deal for the arms manufacturer.
And for that reason we must see it as a done deal. Both sides agreed that
they will do it. And that has a reason both sides wanted it, it was good
for both. It was a win-win situation and what we are doing now with the
sanctions under the US pressure, we continue blackmailing Russia to accept
Ukraines gas prices.
You also mentioned the fact that Ukraine is now asking the gas prices to be
renegotiated. What do you think is going to happen with that? I mean, it is
actually the case right now that Ukraine is paying a bit more than Europe
for gas. Are you expecting to see any movement as far as the negotiations?
I see the blackmail effort led by Washington and executed by NATO against
Russia in the price question of gas to Ukraine, which is, by the way, a
bilateral issue. All these EU NATO countries have no right whatsoever to
interfere in this negotiation. That is number one. Number two is if you
look at an American company, having a bad customer like Ukraine, they would
have stopped delivering anything long ago.
So, what Russia is doing is really very patient. And if the price is higher
than for somebody else, well, that is what we call a risk hike. If a
customer is risky, he pays more. Everybody taking a credit without being a
very good customer with his bank will pay higher interests. That is normal
in business.
Youve mentioned that such companies, large German concerns like Volkswagen
and Siemens have both said that they will not be involved in any sanctions.
How strong the lobby right now is or how strong the call in the media, in
the government and just the public for sanctions against Russia is? And how
strong is the call to restrain from sanctions?
Ive said for many times in the interviews also with Russia Today that
nobody in Germany really likes sanctions apart from a few NATO crazy
politicians. The people do not want it. The people want peace, friendliness
and happiness with Russia. Thats what the people want. And the companies
want to do good business and they want to have a calm political environment
to continue this very successful business with Russia.
So, it is a high German interest not to continue with the sanctions. And we
feel that, the politicians in the government, in Berlin is now under high
pressure from all kinds of businesses, from the whole business sector so to
say not to continue with these stupid sanctions.
If this information that Bloomberg has published is true, do you think that
there is going to be any way of resuming those talks? I mean, what is going
to happen next? Will Airbus be able to find another partner, perhaps?
Thats one story, of course, another partner. But what will happen next, I
can tell you that if this is really an official policy, if Berlin has put a
no on this deal, we can be very sure that over this weekend this arms
manufacturer will approach Berlins top politicians on the usual ways,
because they have a very strong lobby
look at Siemens, I mean, is the
German government. There is no chancellor boarding an airplane without
Siemens manager joining him. That is the situation.
So, over this weekend there will be a lot of bickering behind the curtains.
My feeling is that right now the politicians will try, from the NATO side,
Washington will exert its pressure, that they will try to continue with
sanctions. And the business sector will lobby against it very strongly.
There will be infighting in Europe, very strong, it is a very decisive
weekend, to me.
Do you think that this point of view as far as the sanctions is unique to
Germany or would you say that there are other European countries that are
also unhappy with the pressure from Washington to impose sanctions?
More or less the same. Lets just look at the recent history of how the
polls showing that people were against the joint fighting in Syria or they
were against an attack on Iran and things like that by 80-90%. And it is the
same percentage of the people being against any trouble with Russia, they
dont want trouble. And businesses, by the way, Russia is doing a swift
business with the UK. Theyve just had large amounts of gas on top of the
present deals something like 40%. Also Germany, it is the same, we are
ordering gas from Gazprom like hell. So, this is quite an interesting
situation where in fact business completely deviated from the official
sanction course of NATO.
Thats a very interesting situation. How is that going to further develop,
because obviously the businesses are going to be putting pressure on the
politicians, but there is this whole NATO thing which is also important to
Europe and of course there is pressure from NATO to support the sanctions
that NATO wants?
Looking at that, for me the key is with Moscow. If Moscow now stands firm
and continues its calm patient but very clear policy, that will come out
fine. If Moscow stop supporting the Russian people in Ukraine, if they try
to compromise with Washington and things like that, Washington will grow
more indecent. If President Putin continues his strong good patient course,
that will come out fine.
We most certainly have to watch what happens further. It is going to be a
very interesting situation. And youve mentioned that over the weekend there
is going to be a lot of talking and bickering. Is there something specific
going on?
It is on two sides. The politicians will discuss among each other, because
the next week we are going to have Russia-NATO negotiations. And then, of
course, it is the business calling its friends in politics and telling them
you, please, stop this stupid sanction policy, it is going nowhere, it is
hurting us, billions of euros.
Most certainly! Well have to wait till Monday and see if there is any
change in the situation.
EM
On the 49th Parallel
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
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