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Opinion: To stop Putin, Europe needs to shut off the gas

It would hurt the German and French economy but shutting off the gas would hurt Putin more.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin. AP file photo

It is almost unbelievable that we have this war in Europe. Russia against Ukraine, or better, Vladimir Putin against everything he does not like. I understand that the conflict is complex, and that history has a lot to do with it, and I will not elaborate on the complicated aspects, although it is a completely unjust war. Most European countries have promised to assist Ukraine either with weapons or with sanctions against Russia, which many of us understand and support.

Russia delivers gas to Europe, mainly to Germany and France, via a pipeline through Ukraine. Ukraine still receives transfer payments from Russia, and the European Countries still pay Russia for the uninterrupted gas delivered to them. Russia still receives billions of dollars (now rubles) for the gas while at the same time Europe works actively against the war, supporting Ukraine. The Russian war machine continues to be financed. There is no logic in all of this.

Having lived in Europe for 37 years, I do not understand why, especially Germany and France, do not voluntarily and intentionally stop the gas flow. Yes, it may hurt, and there is the clear and present danger that their economies shrink from two or three per cent growth to only one percent, or to no growth at all. But it would be the best action imaginable to force Putin and his inner circle to stop his war machine and come to his senses. Sending new, but earlier tank models from Germany to Ukraine would potentially help Ukraine, but I am disappointed that there is no preparedness to allow for a reduction of the economic growth, and with that help Ukraine. Hypocrisy!

For many years Germany tried to improve the German-Russian relations, when even Angela Merkel, the former German Chancellor, established a fine working relationship with Putin. She grew up in what was then East Germany, spoke perfect Russian, and tended to trust Putin. She even agreed to have a second pipeline, North Stream 2, built from Russia to Germany, all through the Baltic See, underwater.

She got played by Putin, who, as a trained KGB agent, had his own ideas and fooled her. Time has changed and we cannot have it both ways. Europe has to wake up, be prepared for some sacrifices, and turn the gas tab off. Only that would, in my mind, send a clear message to Putin and potentially lead to a peace agreement.

Albert Koehler served as the Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany for northern B.C. for nine years and was a Prince George city councilor for seven years.