Alexander Rahr, the President of the Eurasia Society in Berlin, who has a long history of experience in working to improve relations between Germany and Russia, expressed deep concern over the report of a possible British-French initiative to provide nuclear weapons to Ukraine. He decried such talk as dangerous, but not surprising, given the role the British have played in organizing Europe to keep the war against Russia going. Given the Russophobia of the northern Europeans -- by which he specified nations of Scandinavia and the Baltics, Britain and France -- he said he believes the only hope of ending the war rests with the U.S. President. Donald Trump will prevail, he said, but he faces opposition in the U.S. from the Democrats and the "Deep State", in addition to that from Europe. As for the Republicans, he said those who want Trump to succeed in achieving peace in Europe want him to split the alliance between Russia and China, and get Russia to join with the U.S. to face the challenge of China.
He also had interesting comments about what he described as the "weakness" of the Russian army and strategic errors in the war against Ukraine.
He said he watched the "European problem" dominate the last several years of the Munich Security Conference (MSC). He singled out the failure of Europe's leaders to recognize the emerging "multipolar world" as their problem. The MSC focus was narrowly on Europe, with no attention given to the BRICS, which is a new element. He expressed disappointment in the youth in Germany, who act as though nuclear weapons are an issue for older people who live in the past.
In addition to chairing the Eurasia Society in Berlin, Rahr serves as a board member of the Petersburg Dialogue, is a member of the Valdai Club and a former senior adviser to Gazprom.
