German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas criticized US policy of maximum pressure on Iran to the detriment of diplomatic efforts and the negotiation process. In an interview with the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, the German Foreign Minister emphasized that the United States and Europe have a different approach in relations with Tehran.

“Although the United States unilaterally abandoned the nuclear agreement and moved to maximum pressure, we want to achieve progress through negotiations. France, the UK and Germany want to keep the agreement in place to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons, ”said Meath.

In addition, the German minister called on "not to pretend" that the situation in the Iranian republic will improve by itself after the change of power, recalling the events in Iraq.

“In any case, pure threats and military escalation did not bring anything,” the German Foreign Minister emphasized.

According to him, Europe in this situation advocates diplomatic methods.

Recall that in May 2018, Washington announced the withdrawal from a nuclear deal with Iran (Joint Comprehensive Action Plan, JCPOA). However, the United States announced the return of a harsh sanctions regime against the Iranian republic. At the same time, Washington has repeatedly threatened Tehran with force.

Relations between the two countries escalated even more after the American side struck in the vicinity of Baghdad Airport on the night of January 3. The attack killed the general of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Kassem Suleimani, as well as the deputy head of the Iraqi Shiite militia Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and about ten escort people.

According to Vladimir Shapovalov, deputy director of the Institute of History and Politics of the Moscow State Pedagogical University, Maas’s statement is another indication that Germany is increasingly moving away from pro-American politics, and not only with regard to Iran.

“Now the contradictions between the US and Germany are becoming increasingly insurmountable. A significant difference in views between the United States and Germany on the Iranian issue was very clear after the United States withdrew from the nuclear deal on the initiative of US leader Donald Trump. Then the German side critically evaluated this step, ”the expert stated in a conversation with RT.

  • German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas
  • Reuters
  • © Axel Schmidt

However, according to Shapovalov, now these contradictions have increased even more due to Washington’s recent actions against Tehran.

“After the assassination of Suleimani and the sharp escalation of anti-Iranian policies by the United States, Germany began to more openly show her dissatisfaction with American actions,” the analyst said.

“Berlin is not happy with the situation”

The fact that the EU needs to think about greater independence in the international arena on January 17, said German Chancellor Angela Merkel. According to her, the US is less and less considering relations with the European Union as a priority in its foreign policy. The head of Germany said this in an interview with the Financial Times.

“US attention to the EU is weakening, no matter who holds the presidency,” Merkel said. - Ex-President Barack Obama has already talked about the "Asian Age", if you look from the point of view of the United States. It also means that Europe is no longer in the center of world events, so to speak. ”

In these circumstances, according to the German Chancellor, the EU needs to pursue a more independent policy.

“We in Europe, and especially in Germany, should take more responsibility,” said Merkel.

Earlier, during a press conference following negotiations in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin on January 11, Merkel criticized US sanctions against the construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, announced by the American side on December 21, 2019.

According to the Chancellor of Germany, in this matter “from the German and European point of view,” the German side represents, first of all, its own interests.

“Despite all the political problems, we believe that extraterritorial sanctions (USA. - RT ) are the wrong way. Therefore, we will continue to support this project, as we did in the past, ”Merkel emphasized.

At the same time, the head of Germany noted that the implementation of Nord Stream 2 "must be brought to an end." According to her, the project "can be implemented, despite American sanctions."

  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel
  • Reuters
  • © Hannibal Hanschke

It is worth noting that Merkel repeatedly opposed the introduction of restriction by the United States even before the introduction of restrictive measures by the American side.

According to Vladimir Shapovalov, Germany "is seriously concerned about the actions of Washington, which violate its political and economic interests."

“The measures that Washington has taken regarding, inter alia, Nord Stream 2, cause a serious negative in Berlin,” the expert noted.

Moreover, "the process of increasing the number of disagreements with Washington is growing," Shapovalov believes.

“And there is a high probability that these trends will only intensify in the future, because the goals and interests of the two leading Western powers are becoming increasingly different, and in some cases opposite. Critical statements from the German side will continue, ”the analyst predicted.

A similar opinion is shared by the deputy director of IMEMO RAS Alexei Kuznetsov. According to him, discontent with US actions is already growing in Germany.

“Berlin is not happy with the situation when Washington’s policy from traditionally partnering with European countries, albeit with the dominance of the United States, turns into inconsistent measures with a clear pushing of American interests according to the hegemonic model. This cannot cause any positive emotions in Germany, which has recently increased its weight and became the leader of European integration, has its own views on current events in the Middle East, ”the expert said.

“Contrary to US intentions”

Experts also emphasize that against the background of the distance from Washington, Berlin began to pay more attention to issues of rapprochement with Moscow.

During the last meeting in Russia with Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel noted that Russia and Germany have a “joint interest” in a number of bilateral topics and issues on the international agenda.

In turn, the Russian president emphasized that he was “in constant contact” with his German counterpart. According to Putin, Moscow and Berlin are jointly engaged in "internal issues - both economic and political - and international issues."

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a meeting
  • RIA News
  • © Sergey Guneev

At a press conference following a meeting with Merkel, Putin called the talks "meaningful and useful."

“Russia seeks to build cooperation with the Federal Republic on the principles of respect, equality, mutual benefit and consideration of each other’s interests,” the Russian leader emphasized.

In addition, Vladimir Putin recalled that Germany is one of the main "foreign economic partners" of Russia. According to him, Germany ranks second after China in terms of trade with Russia.

“In January – October last year, Russian-German trade amounted to $ 43.8 billion. German investments in Russia reach $ 20 billion; oncoming Russian investment in the economy of the Federal Republic is nine billion dollars, ”the Russian president said.

Vladimir Putin also noted that in addition to Nord Stream 2, the two countries have “a number of large joint projects in the energy field”.

Angela Merkel, in turn, emphasized that the Russian Federation and Germany have "very intensive economic relations", including in the field of science and university cooperation.

“Now between Russia and Germany there are very intensive contacts, intensive cooperation, and the citizens of our countries also communicate very closely with each other. This is very productive, ”said the German Chancellor.

In addition, only this week, on the initiative of the German side, two telephone conversations of Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel took place. The Kremlin’s official statement states that in both cases, “the preparations for the international conference in Berlin on the Libyan settlement were discussed.”

“Russia and Germany are European countries, there is much in common between them, including dissatisfaction with US actions. In this regard, it is natural that the tension in relations between Berlin and Washington goes along with the normalization of contacts between Berlin and Moscow, ”said Vladimir Shapovalov.

The expert also emphasized that "the interaction between Russia and Germany is constantly growing, contrary to US intentions to break off these ties."

“Evidence of this is Merkel’s last visit to Moscow. The parties have much in common in the economic, political and cultural spheres. Countries have significant joint interests in Europe and Asia. Therefore, the partnership of the two states will only grow, ”the analyst summed up.