In the game of neither yes nor no, Olaf Scholz would undoubtedly be excellent. He demonstrated this on Monday, January 7, at the White House. Asked three times about what would happen to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the event of an attack on Ukraine by Russia, the German Chancellor, traveling to the United States, kicked into touch, contenting himself with saying that an attack “would be expensive” and making a point of not saying the name of the pipeline.
At his side, Joe Biden spoke very directly. “If Russia invades Ukraine, that is, if tanks and troops cross the border of it, there will be no more Nord Stream 2 because we will end it”promised the American president about this gas pipeline linking Russia to Germany via the Baltic, the construction of which has been completed since September 2021 but which has not yet entered into service.
To the journalists who pointed out this difference in tone, the two men assured that it was not the sign of any dissonance on the merits. “We act together, we are totally united and we will take the same measures” against Russia, said Olaf Scholz, assuming not “not put on the table” the precise list of sanctions envisaged in order to maintain pressure on Moscow. “Germany is one of our closest allies and we are working hand in hand to prevent Russian aggression in Europe”said the American president. “Germany is a completely reliable partner. I never had any doubts about Germany”he added, emphasizing the “absolute confidence” existing between Berlin and Washington.
Germany accused of ‘sleeping with Putin’
None of these words were chosen at random. In recent weeks, Germany has been accused by several of its allies of lacking firmness in the face of Russia. By refusing to deliver arms to Ukraine, unlike other NATO members, it has caused concern in Kiev but also in Warsaw and in the Baltic countries, where it is feared that any sign of weakness in the Vladimir Putin’s regard feeds his ambitions to restore the European Cold War order.
In Washington too, the attitude of the government of Olaf Scholz in the Ukrainian crisis has raised questions. So much so that, at the end of January, the German ambassador to the United States, Emily Haber, sent a telegram to Berlin alerting “serious discredit” of his country in the American press as well as in Congress. According to the diplomat, Germany is increasingly described as “unreliable partner” in Washington, particularly by Republicans, who accuse him of “sleep with Putin” to protect its gas supplies.
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