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Former head of NATO-A. Rasmussen: ‘We need German leadership’

Germany is “very reluctant to supply heavy weapons and impose sanctions,” Anders Rasmussen told Handelsblatt.

“Of course, Germany is heavily dependent on Russian gas imports, but I think a clear stance by the German government would change the whole dynamic in Ukraine. We need German leadership.”

The Dane, who served as his country’s prime minister from 2001 to 2009 and secretary general of the Transatlantic Military Alliance from 2009 to 2014, called on Europeans to immediately stop importing oil and gas from Russia.

“Sure, an energy embargo would come at a price. But compared to the cost of a protracted war, that price would be small,” Rasmussen said. Stop Putin’s war machine The greatest danger, he said, is a war of attrition.

“The Russians are experts in playing with unresolved conflicts. We see this in Georgia, Moldova and the Ukrainian region of Donbass, where they invaded in 2014. We must do what is necessary to end this conflict quickly.” The most effective way, he said, is to stop funding Putin’s war machine – and that is why all oil and gas imports need to be cut off. Rasmussen saw NATO’s current enlargement to the north, with Sweden and Finland applying for membership, as a historic step and a real boost to the Alliance.

“Finland has one of the strongest armies in Europe, a strong artillery and the number of troops, not to mention the reserve, is incredibly high. Sweden has a strong air force and significant naval capabilities.” So both countries “could offer a lot at the table,” Rasmussen said. “They will increase NATO’s defense capability – especially targeting the Baltic.”

Source: Capital

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