Berlin’s actions are ‘driving a division line between west and east in Europe,’ says Defense Minister Artis Pabriks.
Latvia's Defense Minister Artis Pabriks called Germany's relationship with Russia and China "immoral and hypocritical". | Gerard Cerles/AFP via Getty Images
Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks hit out against what he calls Germany’s “immoral and hypocritical” relationship with Russia and China.
Berlin’s actions are driving a wedge between western and eastern European countries, Pabriks said in an interview with the Financial Times. As Russia masses more than 100,000 troops and military equipment at the Ukrainian border, Pabriks said the Western response has demonstrated “wishful thinking.”
Eastern European officials have reacted in disbelief over Berlin’s refusal to send lethal weapons to Ukraine, while also refusing to grant Estonia permission to send old German howitzers to the country. So far, Germany has committed to sending 5,000 helmets and a field hospital.
Pabriks lashed out at Germany’s stance on the howitzers — as well as some of its businesses threatening to pull out of Lithuania over the country’s dispute with China as Vilnius deepens diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
“How are you acting yourself when it comes to Lithuania, Russia, China?” Pabriks asked. “It’s immoral and hypocritical. It’s driving a division line between west and east in Europe.”
“Germans forgot already that Americans were granting their security in the Cold War,” The defense minister added. “But they should [remember]. It’s their moral duty,”
https://www.politico.eu/article/latvia-germany-immoral-relationship-russia-china/
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