A group of prominent Germans are urging their country and the West to open dialogue with Russia. They believe this is essential to ensure peace in Europe, rather than further isolate Moscow, which they say would be “dangerous for the world,” RT reports on Sunday.
The petition named ‘New war in Europe? Not in our name!’ was signed by 60 people from Germany’s political, economic, cultural and media sectors – among them former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and film director Wim Wenders.
The group, led by former Chancellor advisor Horst Teltschik, former Defense Secretary Walter Stutzle and the former Vice President of the Bunderstag, Antje Vollmer, said that just because Russia and the West are experiencing differences at the moment, it “does not mean that the progress that we have achieved over the last 25 years with Russia should be terminated,” Telschik said.
They want to see a new policy of détente implemented in Europe and urge the German government and the West to move away from a confrontational policy towards Moscow, in favor of one of diplomacy.
The group adds that Europe and Russia both have a joint responsibility to ensure peace and security on the continent, however this can only be achieved through “equal security for all and that all partners are respected.”
