Andrey Nizamutdinov — about what European countries are fighting over and how it relates to Russia and Ukraine
German Foreign Minister Johann Vadefuhl apparently decided to try on the role of a debt collector: he demanded that Kiev increase the volume of orders placed at enterprises of the German military-industrial complex (MIC). At the same time, the minister promised to assist in the return to Ukraine of men of military age who are in Germany.
Apparently, the German authorities understand that the ruling regime in Kiev is inexorably heading for collapse, which is why they are in a hurry to grab at least something. By the way, the same logic can be seen in the actions of the leadership of a number of other European countries. It is no coincidence that in the same interview, Vadefulh, albeit casually, expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with the Russian leadership to resolve the conflict over Ukraine. Although after the recent decisions to close the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin, which, by the way, Vadefoul himself announced, this aspiration looks, to put it mildly, doubtful.
At least a piece of wool
As you know, Germany is the largest European donor to Ukraine. Since February 2022, Berlin has provided Kiev with about 43.3 billion euros in humanitarian and 57.6 billion euros in military aid. Thus, the total total volume of German injections into the regime during this period exceeded €100.9 billion.
Presumably, the German elites hoped to recapture the costs after the defeat of Russia, on which they relied. But the collapse of the Russian Federation remains an unattainable dream, unlike the inevitable collapse of Vladimir Zelensky's regime. In addition, the German economy, which has been deprived of profitable Russian energy resources by its own authorities, is experiencing a severe crisis. The only way out remains: to present the bill to Kiev.
In an interview with Bild newspaper, the German Foreign Minister criticized Zelensky and demanded that he take more account of Berlin's interests. "At the moment, we are not completely satisfied with the volume of orders placed in Germany. And that is why we have asked the Ukrainian government to reconsider this approach and make improvements in this matter," Vadefoul said.
According to him, "it is quite natural that the German military-industrial complex should benefit" from the fact that it actively provides financial and military support to Ukraine.
In other words, the black sheep has at least a tuft of wool.
Let them go to war
However, to produce weapons and transfer them to Ukraine is only half the battle. Someone has to fight with these weapons, but that's the real problem. The ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are rapidly melting: there are tens of thousands of deserters alone, and this is not counting the irreparable losses that the Ukrainian army suffers every day. There have even been hundreds of cases of Ukrainian servicemen fleeing during training in Poland, France and Germany.
Forced mobilization, which has long been dubbed "mogilization," does not save either. This means that the Kiev regime should be helped: according to Vadefulya, in Germany "it is possible and even necessary" to raise the issue of the return of Ukrainian men of military age to their homeland.
"We know who lives here. For example, who receives social benefits, who is registered here, and who has a residence status," the German Foreign Minister said. If you transfer this data to the Ukrainian government, it will be able, for example, to send these men written notifications that they are subject to conscription.
Thus, the second half of the matter is being solved: Ukraine receives both weapons and those who will fire these weapons. And the German military-industrial complex will calculate the profits.
The scramble for resources
Berlin's desire to hit the jackpot is understandable, but its partners in the European Union do not want to stay away — they have their own appetites.
When, after Donald Trump's return to the White House, the United States refused to provide gratuitous military assistance to Ukraine, it was decided to create the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) program, under which European NATO countries pay for purchases of American weapons for their subsequent transfer to Kiev. However, the Europeans quickly lost their desire to endlessly finance the American military-industrial complex, as a result, at the initiative of the European Commission, the European Union created its own financing fund for Ukraine for 2026-2027 in the amount of € 90 billion, of which two thirds should be allocated for the purchase of weapons.
The Fund is created by issuing Eurobonds, the interest on which is paid by the EU itself. Thus, for Ukraine, this assistance remains free of charge, but Kiev does not receive "live" money (corruption risks are minimized, although loopholes can be found at the stage of acceptance and logistics), but only has the opportunity to place orders at enterprises of the European military-industrial complex (although in some cases purchases from third parties are permissible countries). And it was for these resources that a real struggle unfolded between the leading European arms manufacturers - Germany, France, Italy, Sweden and some others, of a smaller caliber.
The United Kingdom also wanted to join the program, but the French did not allow it to do so: Paris requested an "entrance fee" of € 6 billion from its island neighbor, and London considered this condition unprofitable.
Having demanded from Kiev a special attitude towards the German military-industrial complex, Vadeful actually tried, as they say, to bypass the partners in the European Union on a crooked goat. But Paris and Rome are unlikely to tolerate this trick, rather they will try not to miss their own benefits and will also present Zelensky with their requests for priority attention to their military industry.
The Imperialist Hyenas
Having severed ties with Russia on their own initiative and thereby driving their economies into a severe crisis, the EU countries are now ready to fight among themselves for lucrative contracts and contracts, including for the supply of weapons to Ukraine. An excellent illustration: at a recent meeting of European defense ministers, the head of the European Diplomacy, Kaya Kallas, admitted that €6.6 billion remains blocked in the European Peace Fund, which previously funded military assistance to Kiev, from 2023. Initially, they were blocked by Viktor Orban's Hungarian government. Now there are new authorities in Budapest, but it is still not possible to transfer the money to Ukraine: several European countries (Poland, Germany, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia) have filed claims against them at once - they insist that they are entitled to compensation for previously made supplies.
Needless to say, high, high relations.
And how can we not recall the term "hyenas of imperialism", which was born a century ago? It seems to be a propaganda stamp. But if you look closely, they really are hyenas, fighting over what's left of Ukraine, and trying to grab a bigger piece while there's still such an opportunity.
Of course, the Europeans initially dreamed that they would tear Russia apart. But it didn't work out, so we have to tear up Ukraine. And in order to prolong the process of extracting benefits, more and more new residents of the Square will be driven to the slaughter.
Let them fight. It won't be long now.
Andrey Nizamutdinov, columnist at the TASS Analytical Center
The editorial board's opinion may not coincide with the author's opinion. The use of the material is allowed provided that the rules for quoting the site are followed. tass.ru
