- Our friend, famous German political analyst Alexander Rahr is here live. Mr. Rahr, everybody's talking about Germany being fed up with America. We all know perfectly well how much Germany has lost because of the sanctions. When will you dare to do anything? Maybe, lift the sanctions or say no to Trump? Are you going to do something?
Alexander Rahr, political analyst (Germany): You know, let me draw an odd parallel. 33 years ago, nobody expected Gorbachev to come into power. He started reforming the whole system and ideology. The allies were crying and weeping about him ruining everything. They were soon put out of the way. It's the same now: the allies don't understand what the boss is doing. Trump. Trump is changing the world system. He's changing institutions and dismantling the policy of values that Merkel, Macron, and current European elites hold so dear. His slogans are entirely different. Trump's pursuing the policy of interests, he wants to interact with Russia within G7 and even restore G8. Some allies like Italy and Japan support him. He's splitting the EU just like the Warsaw Pact was split 33 years ago. Sorry for drawing that parallel.
I believe the situation's pretty serious. Germany and France don't know if they will be able to hold on to the European Union and what to do with the new America that's acting totally differently. In fact, G7 has been largely seen as the world government, but without Russia and the US it would be a G6, unable to do anything. We're talking about the world system crisis. Nobody knows how we'll rule the new multi-polar world.
- Mr. Rahr, we repeat our question: Why are you so faint-hearted? Even the Italians did something. If I remember correctly, you lose $727 million per month due to the sanctions. The German business is putting pressure on you. What's happening to Angela Merkel? Your fellow Austria and Italy did something. Go together to the European Union. Why hesitate?
- I agree with you. We need one brave politician, one brave side within the EU let it be Austria, Greece, or...
- Anything but Germany, right? How come, Mr. Rahr?
- This side would take the floor at an EU summit and declare that we cancel the sanctions. You see, there's a reason I gave such a complex answer to your first question. It's the question of morality and values.
Merkel says we can't lift the sanctions unless the Ukrainian conflict is settled. I believe that the European business, political parties, and some countries begin to feel that we have to establish relations based on mutual interests and build a free and stable world. Of course, the sanctions get in the way. So far the EU countries have to make their decisions unanimously. They criticize the sanctions in their official statements but behind the closed doors, no one opposes them and thus, they remain.
-Thank you very much.
