Lambsdorff’s comments on the Russian political system
The appointment of Alexander Lambsdorff, a German diplomat and deputy leader of the liberal Free Democratic Party faction in the Bundestag, as the new German Ambassador to the Russian Federation has been met with mixed reactions. Lambsdorff, who worked at the German Foreign Ministry on Russian affairs in the 1990s and 2000s, has recently made some controversial comments on the current Russian political system.
Speaking at the Federal Academy for Security Policy, Lambsdorff stated that the current political regime in Russia reminds him of the period before 1917 when all power was in the hands of an autocrat who ruled with absolute power. He called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “product of Soviet bureaucracy” and noted that the current Russian regime is similar to the period before 1917.
However, Lambsdorff’s comments did not stop there. He also suggested that the war between Russia and Ukraine did not begin on February 24, 2022, but rather with the 2008 war in Georgia and the 2014 annexation of Crimea. He believes that Putin’s speech to the Bundestag in September 2001 was an attempt to divide Europe and North America, and that it was a continuation of the Soviet Union’s foreign policy.
Germany’s support for Ukraine
In a press release from the German Ministry of Defense on March 28, it was announced that Germany transferred 18 main battle tanks Leopard 2 to Ukraine instead of the planned 14. This move has been seen as a sign of Germany’s increased support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Der Spiegel reported on March 27 that Germany intends to significantly increase its financial and military aid to Ukraine. The country’s spending on “modernizing partner countries in the field of security and defense” for 2023 has increased from €2.2 billion to €5.4 billion. This increase in aid is seen as a response to the escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and a sign of Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Conclusion
Alexander Lambsdorff’s appointment as the new German Ambassador to the Russian Federation and his recent comments on the Russian political system have sparked controversy and debate. Germany’s increased support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia is seen as a positive sign of its commitment to international security and stability. The ongoing situation between Russia and Ukraine remains tense, and it is unclear what the future holds for the region.
