The Russia-Ukraine War,[1] which started on 24 February 2022, has deeply shaken the global system and created a new competitive environment. The Cold War-era rivalry between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the United States of America (USA) resurfaced with this war in the form of US-Russia tension. We can say that this is the biggest tension between Washington and Moscow after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989[2] and the end of the Cold War in 1991[3].
The justification for this war was the over-expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in Eastern Europe and its encroachment on national borders. [4] In this context, the European Union (EU) and EU member states have implemented serious sanctions[5] against Russia, including the oil price ceiling[6]. It is known that many of these sanctions were imposed at the request of the USA. As a matter of fact, considering that Europe has also been badly affected by the sanctions in question, it is a question mark how long Brussels can continue this Washington-based struggle.
On the other hand, this competition seriously hardened many European states against Russia. This situation was expected to bring about Euro-Western consolidation. At the same time, these policies have further widened the distance between Europe and Moscow. On Friday 11 August 2023, German local media Spiegel Online and Zeit newspaper reported that a person identified as Thomas H. had obtained crucial information on Germany’s modern combat systems. The information reportedly includes the procurement of technology for surveillance and jamming of opponents’ radio systems, as well as the shutdown of enemy radio or air shielding systems. It also includes information on modern weapons used by elite commandos in the army. [7]
Citing anonymous security sources, Spiegel Online reported that the person in question had “extensive access” to the electronic capabilities of the German Army. At this point, it is suspected that this person is providing information about German military divisions to Russian diplomatic missions. According to the allegations, he allegedly did so with the intention of passing this information on to a Russian secret service.
According to Die Zeit and Tagesspiegel, he also has ties to Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. This comes shortly after the German internal security organisation BfV warned of the risk of an “aggressive Russian espionage operation”.[8] In April this year, Germany also expelled several Russian diplomats on suspicion of espionage. In retaliation, Russia ordered more than 20 German diplomats to leave the country. [9]
As a result, it can be stated that Germany is also affected by this rivalry. This is because Berlin follows a hawkish policy against Russia from time to time, especially with Leopard tanks. In this context, it can be predicted that the tension between Europe and Russia will not decrease unless there is a softening in the context of the Russia-Ukraine War.
[1] “February 24, 2023-It’s Now One Year Since Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Began”, Cable News Network World, https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-02-24-23/index.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 07.08.2023).
[2] “What Was the Berlin Wall and How Did it Fall?”, IWM, https://shorturl.at/dexRW, (Erişim Tarihi: 07.08.2023).
[3] “Mikhail Gorbachev: The Soviet Leader who Helped End the Cold War”, British Broadcast Corporation News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-13669848,(Erişim Tarihi: 07.08.2023).
[4] “Did NATO Expansion Really Cause Putin’s Invasion?”, American Foreign Service Association, https://afsa.org/did-nato-expansion-really-cause-putins-invasion, (Erişim Tarihi: 07.08.2023).
[5] “Impact of EU Sanctions for European Companies in the Gulf”, Arabian Gulf Business Insight, https://shorturl.at/rswCE, (Erişim Tarihi: 07.08.2023).
[6] “EU Agrees to Set $60 Price Cap Level for Russian Oil Exports”, Bloomberg, https://shorturl.at/ryDP1, (Erişim Tarihi: 07.08.2023).
[7] “Germany Arrests Alleged Spy over Suspicions of Espionage for Russia”, WION, https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-arrests-alleged-spy-over-suspicions-of-espionage-for-russia-624690, (Erişim Tarihi: 07.08.2023).
[8] “German Official Accused of Spying for Russia”, British Broadcasting Corporation News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66458090, (Erişim Tarihi: 07.08.2023).
[9] “German Man Accused of Spying for Russia”, Cable News Network Business, https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/09/europe/germany-national-russian-spy-suspect-intl/index.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 07.08.2023).
