Below we present extended passages of the speech with Sergei Niechayev, Russian ambassador to Germany, which appeared on the lenta.ru portal.
At the end of June in Copenhagen, G7 diplomats and their counterparts from developing countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa discussed the prospects for peace talks on Ukraine behind closed doors. What is Berlin's position on diplomatic resolution of the conflict?
– Copenhagen discussed not so much these prospects, but the alleged "peace formula" presented by Volodymyr Zelenski for the proposition of his curators. As we know, it consists of a detached from reality, absurd ultimatum posed to our country. Of course, this initiative is unacceptable to us. The West demonstrated a real attitude towards a peaceful solution in the spring of last year, erstwhile it prohibited Kiev to enter into agreements agreed and initialled by the Ukrainian delegation during talks with the Russian side. As far as Germany's position is concerned, there are no crucial changes. It's regrettable.
How do you measure the prospects of the transfer of Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine by Germany? And to what degree is Berlin likely to reconsider its restrained position on the transportation of F-16 fighters to Kiev?
– The German Ministry of Defence at this phase refrains from participating in the alleged fighter coalition. But the reason for this is not a change of attitude to the situation in Ukraine, but firstly the deficiency of essential for Kiev F-16, and secondly the awareness of the hazard of escalation associated with the usage of Western fighter aircraft. As far as long-range rocket supplies are concerned, so far the British and French have been actively carrying out this niche. Meanwhile, Germany is actively providing air defence systems, self-propelled barrels, dense tanks and a immense amount of ammunition. The scope of German deliveries to Ukraine is very wide. Broken Leopardy and another military equipment are rapidly exchanged to aid advertised Ukrainian “conference”. Hot heads in Germany inactive hope for its success. However, it gradually melts. As for red lines, Berlin has repeatedly proved that it is willing to easy cross erstwhile unmoved taboos, specified as refusing to supply arms and military equipment to conflict zones At the same time, local politicians do not seem to be embarrassed by the apparent historical parallels, which is depressing.
How much did the embassy burden increase due to the closure of 4 of the 5 Russian general consulates in Germany? What do you think are the ways out of the diplomatic war between Germany and Russia?
– We were never the initiators of diplomatic wars, but only between 2022 and 2023 Berlin unreasonably expelled more than 70 Russian mission staff to Germany. Together with household members, many of whom provided tasks related to consular work, educational process in schools, method and office functions. A further unprecedented decision to retreat 4 of the 5 Russian consulates-general in Germany was taken after establishing a level of quotas for the maximum number of abroad mission staff of both countries in Berlin. By the end of 2023, the general consulates in Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Frankfurt am Main must end their operations.
Only the Berlin Embassy and the Bonn Consulate General will proceed to carry out tasks related to ensuring the political, diplomatic, cultural, humanitarian, historical, commemorative and consular and legal presence of our country in Germany. A breakthrough in Russian-German relations violates the laws and interests of hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens permanently residing in Germany and importantly complicates their consular service. We are presently faced with serious challenges related to the request to reduce the work of representations, formattate consular districts and transfer service to Berlin and Bonn. Of course, it will take time, effort, and money. We will do our best to keep consular services to our citizens at the right level.
This summertime the fresh German ambassador Alexander Lambsdorff will arrive in Moscow. Do you know him? What are your expectations of his calling?
– Until the line of authoritative Berlin, which is based on confronting our country, freezing contacts and destroying the unique complex of Russian-German ties, built by the effort of more than 1 generation of Russians and Germans, cannot have large hopes. Alexander Lambsdorff, whom we know, represents the Free Democrats, 1 of the ruling coalition parties, and has no authority to cross the boundaries outlined by the government. Let's just wait.
For more than a year now, bilateral trade has been steadily decreasing and Russia has been falling increasingly in the ranking of German trading partners. How powerfully did this affect the economies of both countries?
– In 2022, trade between our countries amounted to just over EUR 40 billion, which is half of the evidence data from 2011-2012. At the same time, a crucial part of it were Russian energy carriers, which continued to flow to Germany in the first half of the year. German exports decreased by half, to EUR 14.5 billion. Given Berlin's policy of "complete independence" from Russian energy media, the breaking of trade and economical ties and the invention of fresh sanctions packages, the trend towards a decline in bilateral trade in 2023 will continue. According to most experts, by the end of this year the country will be facing a further decline in gross product or stagnation. Public debt is rising, advanced inflation persists, companies are bankrupt, industrial production is moving abroad, real income of the population is falling. However, the German authorities do not intend to quit either destructive anti-Russian attitudes or green transition plans and the accelerated accomplishment of climate neutrality, which entail unprecedented financial costs. In the long term, a "economic miracle" is promised to society. Whether the citizens of the country believe it or not is no of my business. The Russian economy, which has been affected by unprecedented Western sanctions in the past of the world, on the contrary, shows stableness and growth. German entrepreneurs see this, and despite large political pressure, they do not rush to break ties with the Russian market. We inactive advocate pragmatism, an equal and mutually beneficial partnership. For those who follow a akin approach, the door is open. The regulation applies to “runaways”: the holy place is never empty. But it's gonna be a lot harder to go back to our marketplace than to leave.
The media reported that the United States knew in advance about the preparation of sabotage on Nord Stream and even warned their European partners, including Germany. Have you received any clarifications on the substance from the German authorities and how do you measure the advancement of the investigation?
– Germany cites an ongoing investigation into sabotage, the advancement and results of which are not announced. Our many appeals are ignored or formally given, which raises legitimate questions about the objectivity and impartiality of the investigation. We are discussing this on multilateral sites, peculiarly in the UN safety Council, and we insist on an independent global investigation. Ridiculous versions are persistently thrown into the local media in the form of “tubs” to divert attention from the real organizers of explosions on gas pipelines and detect “Russian footprint”. This is curious: Germany has yet suffered more than another Western countries as a consequence of this terrorist attack, billions invested in the task have been irretrievably lost.
How curious is Berlin in rebuilding the pipelines?
– At the level of business and regional authorities, especially the east states, there are demands to rebuild the damaged transmission lines and revise the policy of abandoning Russian energy carriers, which have for decades been a reliable basis for the country's prosperity and competitiveness of German products. In Berlin, they like not to hear these voices. The construction of terminals for the import of costly liquefied natural gas is underway. Environmental threats, problems of the tourism industry, discontent of local authorities and average Germans are seemingly little important.
What, in your opinion, is the reason for expanding support in Germany for the right-wing organization "Alternative for Germany"? Is this good news for Russia, given the party's position on Ukraine's conflict and interest in reopening dialog with Moscow?
– An alternate for Germany, with about 20 percent of the vote, according to the polls, presently ranks second in the ranking of popularity of German political forces, ahead of ruling parties. Its position is peculiarly strong in the east Länder, in the territory of the erstwhile GDR. It is claimed that this trend is mostly due to the increasing discontent of citizens due to the worsening of the socio-economic situation in the country. The reaction of political rivals to AfD's successes is rather nervous. The charges of extremism and her alleged pro-Russian attitude are constantly heard by this organization We do not participate in these discussions. We do not interfere with interior political processes in Germany. We presume that German voters are able to formulate their political preferences themselves. We are ready to engage with all the political forces in Germany represented in the parliament.
How has the attitude of the Germans to Russia and Russian culture changed since February 2022?
– The attitude of most Germans towards Russian culture has not changed, they inactive love it and appreciate it. This cannot be eradicated by bans and propaganda. We are already receiving proposals from local activists for the 225th anniversary of Alexander Pushkin's birthday, the 220th anniversary of Mikhail Glinka's birthday and the 300th anniversary of Immanuel Kant's birthday. I am convinced that artificial obstacles will not halt the process of natural common enrichment of our cultures.
What do your interlocutors of German politicians and public figures think of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict?
– With respect to relations with the Ukrainian conflict, the position of the German political class, strategy media, NGOs, various types of "think tanks" and average citizens should be clearly distinguished. We receive many letters and appeals supporting Russia's policy. Another thing is that in today's Germany it is not safe to express public opinion that differs from the mainstream. We know that you can be fired from your occupation for attending a Russian embassy organization and being prosecuted for not agreeing with the current explanation of Ukrainian events. Unfortunately, these are the realities of a country that has become accustomed to being regarded as a bastion for the protection of human rights and free speech.
Behind: lenta.ru
