When it comes to Vladimir Putin, Green MEP Viola von Cramon doesn’t mince words. Immediately after the attack on Ukraine he ordered a year ago, she called him a “psychopath”. The past twelve months have reinforced her early judgment: “Putin is a person who lives in a completely parallel world.” He is subject to “his own, very special reason” and shows signs “that he is a sadist and a cynic.” .
Von Cramon worked on international projects in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Estonia, Poland and China while studying agricultural sciences. The Green Party from Lower Saxony describes itself as a “long-time friend” of Ukraine and has been touring the country regularly for years; In 2022 alone she was there five times. Among other things, she is jointly responsible for parliamentary contacts between the EU and Ukraine as well as with Serbia and Russia, and is also the permanent rapporteur for the European Parliament on Kosovo.
Republic of Moldova classified as endangered
The MEP warns against underestimating the Kremlin ruler’s imperialist appetites. Putting him in his place on the battlefield is not only important for Ukraine’s self-assertion: “If Russia achieves military successes there, Putin can think about the next adventure.”
Von Cramon considers the Republic of Moldova to be at high risk. It is “highly vulnerable, economically weak” and would “fall relatively quickly”. Provocateurs hired by Moscow have already brought the country a “hard winter”. In some cases, “thugs disguised as athletes” were smuggled in. Russia is also showing military strength in the breakaway region of Transnistria.
Romanian president wants to help Moldovans “under any scenario”.
Attacks on Moldova could quickly bring EU country and NATO member Romania onto the scene; the majority population of the Republic of Moldova is attached to the Romanian culture and language. The German-born Romanian President Klaus Johannis has already said that his country is “not only ready, but also willing to support Moldova under any scenario – I repeat: under any scenario”.
Von Cramon demands that the EU must also “stand united behind Moldova”. The country has “a key position in this war, so Moldova’s security is of particular importance to everyone in the EU”. The poorest country in Europe needs “more generous financial aid”. Romania is already “very active, very present” there.
Destabilization of the Western Balkans with staying power
The Green Eastern Europe expert is also concerned about the Western Balkans. Russian propaganda is being spread throughout the region, the Kremlin tools “Sputnik” and “Russia Today Balkan” which are important for this purpose have settled in the Serbian capital Belgrade. Putin is going to work with staying power to thwart a move by the Western Balkan states towards the EU.
Von Cramon expects tensions to increase in North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina. In North Macedonia, the failure of a more reform-oriented government resulted in a “politically very opaque situation”. In Montenegro, orthodox, pro-Russian forces are gaining influence. Moscow is trying to thwart a détente between Serbia and Kosovo. It has an interest in “keeping this wound open”.
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Demand for more EU peacekeepers in Bosnia-Herzegovina
According to Cramon, the EU must show greater determination in its commitment to maintaining the peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The number of EUFOR stabilization forces present there must be “significantly increased” and “be operational at strategic points”. In the Republic of Srpska, von Cramon monitors well-equipped paramilitaries. Presumably, Russian money is secretly flowing into the construction of an airport there. “The assumption is that it does not serve the development of tourism”.
As long as Putin is in power in the Kremlin, can there ever be peace and stability in Europe again? Von Cramon has a very firm opinion on this as well. Peace talks with him can only take place “from a certain position of strength”. “Rewarding Russia with concessions for a war of aggression would be an indictment of our community of values.” Putin’s interest in negotiations must be “forced”. It would actually be desirable “to create a situation in which he would be overthrown”.
