QFour senior officers from a Western power, including two generals, together take stock of the conditions for a possible use of one of their weapons of high strategic value in a war waged not far from their home by a nuclear power. Their government, very reluctant to provide this weapon to the attacked ally, despite pressure from political circles, wants to know what human resources, in particular, this recourse would involve. Oddly, the top brass are holding this highly sensitive conversation over an insecure communications network. The enemy power records the conversation and makes it public at the most embarrassing political moment for the allies of the attacked country.
This could be a great spy film; this is unfortunately the reality of the misadventure which has pitted, in recent days, Germany, in the role of the trapped power, and Russia, in that of the diabolical power. Diabolical, because, of all Ukraine’s allies, it was Germany that this act of psychological warfare could hurt the most. Germany, which seems to have forgotten the methods of the Stasi – inspired by Moscow.
Germany’s doubts and torments hold no secrets for Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, who spent five years there as a KGB officer and speaks the language perfectly. Among Russia’s European partners, Germany has always occupied a special place. The heart of the target is her.
Gaffes
The lightness of the German officers in their mode of communication confused their Western colleagues. Another incident was poorly received: the revelation by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, during an interview, of the presence in Ukraine of French and British military personnel in support of the use of long-range missiles that their countries provided . It wasn’t supposed to be said in public. In short, these two blunders say something about Germany and its leaders: their relationship with the war remains unreal, uncomfortable, even bordering on denial. In contrast, Russia appears to be a warlike country.
At the same time, other comments shook the community of Ukraine’s allies: those of Emmanuel Macron evoking, on February 26, the possibility of sending ground troops to Ukraine. Then again, it wasn’t supposed to be said in public. But the French president deliberately wanted to throw a wrench into the pond. And the reactions to this discussion highlighted the deep differences in strategic culture and approaches to war among the allies.
You have 55.89% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.