In a recent interview with Deutsche Welle, the German MEP Terry Reintke (Greens) criticised the German government for having failed to take Poland’s warnings regarding Russia seriously.  

“The previous German governments did not sufficiently perceive and did not take seriously the warnings of Poland and other member states of Central and Eastern Europe against the Russian aggression. Putin’s bloody war proves every day that it was a fatal mistake” – she explained. 

“The same applies to the Baltic States. It’s not about competition with each other, but we are grateful that the countries of Central and Eastern Europe play such a central role and show their steadfast solidarity with Ukraine. Geopolitical closeness and shared historical experiences have a unifying effect, she continued. 

https://twitter.com/rzeczpospolita/status/1583762475345883137

Such comments come from a politician which can hardly be considered a sympathiser of the Polish government. In the same interview, the young politician attacked Poland’s rulers for “disregarding the rule of law […] attacking the LGBT community […] and treating the EU as an ATM”. 

Reintke also drew attention to the fact that her political group was always sensitive to potential energy blackmail from the Kremlin. “We, the Greens, were opposed to Nord Stream from the beginning. Now we must consider this crisis as a chance and make the appropriate decisions for the future” – she told Deutsche Welle. 

Image: Instagram (terry_reintke)

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen