BERLIN (Realist English). The German media to a large degree contributed to the creation of an atmosphere of anti-Russian hysteria in Germany, notes Vladislav Belov, Head of the Center for German Studies at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
“It caused the adoption of inadequate decisions at the level of individual lands, economic entities, universities, scientific, cultural, medical and other institutions and organizations, which was reflected in the suspension of joint projects, dismissal of employees, termination of contracts and other actions.
This situation induced the Federal Chancellor, the Head of the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to make appropriate statements about the unacceptability of such instances of discrimination. But they could not have changed the anti-Russian atmosphere,” said the Head of the Center for German Studies.
In his opinion, the formation of a negative background against Moscow on the part of the government and leading interest groups prompted in early March the leadership of a number of large German concerns to choose to suspend business activities in Russia.
“Among them are Volkswagen, Daimler Truck, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Allianz, DHL, Adidas, Puma. Such companies as Siemens, BASF, SAP refuse to embark on new projects, but are ready to continue work on a number of current ones. The management of two leading German banks, Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank, decided to completely close their businesses in Russia almost at the same time.” Belov believes that Germany is one of the main protagonists of the sanctions packagesbeing developed and adopted by the European Union against Russia:
“Practically all political forces in Germany support the official government in this. At the same time, Berlin pays special attention to the need of ensuring reliable supplies of fossil raw materials from Russia in the medium term, primarily natural gas. Germany will be ready to apply sanctions against energy carriers only as long as sustainable alternatives are found. It will be most difficult to do this with regard to pipeline gas.”
