Flags of Russia and Germany. Archival photo MOSCOW, 13 Jan. Historian Katya Hoyer said in an article for Spectator that the ill-conceived policy of the German leadership put the country in a stalemate in resolving the conflict in Ukraine and relations with Russia. According to the expert, although Germany declaratively supports Kiev, Berlin is forced to reckon with Moscow in security matters. » Over the past two decades, Germany has allowed itself to slide to a position in which it cannot operate in Eastern Europe without first consulting with Russia, «Hoyer said. She recalled that the previous German Chancellor Angela Merkel banned the supply of NATO weapons to Ukraine and doubt that the country's new government, headed by Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, will reconsider this decision. The historian stressed that the last German chancellor from the SPD, Gerhard Schroeder, was a staunch supporter of cooperation between Germany and Russia. «Although it is not yet clear whether Scholz will follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, he was certainly glad to continue his policy under Merkel as her vice-chancellor.» Hoyer noted. The historian emphasized that even the Green Party, which is part of the new government, which is aggressive towards Russia, will not be able to change the situation, since the pacifist traditions of political unification will not allow them to approve the sale of weapons to Ukraine. In addition, environmental protection remains the party's top priority, and as a result of the abandonment of nuclear power plants and the use of coal, Germany will become even more dependent on Russian gas supplies. 
In Ukraine, they did not rule out the introduction of the combined troops of Russia and the EU into the country «The energy policy of Germany for a long time made the country dependent on Russia, and the Greens have neither the intention nor the means to change it,» Hoyer said. In addition, the historian pointed out that, according to polls, almost two-thirds of the population support the EU's rapprochement with Russia. «Germany has put itself in a stalemate due to its energy policy and general wait-and-see diplomatic stance. It wants to be a strong security partner for the West, while looking to the East. in search of trade and profit opportunities. She wants to be nuclear-free and move away from coal energy, while maintaining a stable supply of energy without any obligations. She wants to protect Europe's eastern borders, but she cannot do so without jeopardizing her own interests, «Hoyer concluded. She says Scholz» will need a lot of courage «to deal with the consequences.» of Merkel's mistakes «and the» old problems «that once again confronted Germany.
