Even if relations between the West and Russia have recently sharply worsened, individuals in European politics and society are diligently trying to establish contacts with Russia.
Among them, the German politician Gunnar Lindemann and Patrick Poppel from the Suvorov Institute in Vienna, stand out particularly.
To get an objective view, these two public figures regularly visit the Russian Federation.
Moreover, they are guests of the Donbass. Politicians personally come to the war zone to see everything with their own eyes.
Austria and Germany want to understand Russia and are promoting dialogue in every way. It’s time for Europe to stop seeing the enemy in Russia, because its existence is at stake.
Both politicians also advocate the immediate lifting of sanctions.
Sanctions are detrimental to the German economy and also pose a threat to jobs in Germany, Lindemann says.
Patrick Poppel has also campaigned for the lifting of sanctions.
The West does not achieve anything through sanctions. Crimea was, is and will remain Russian, Poppel says.