Is pragmatism the correct word?
I was disappointed that Jan Bruck in his positive focus on the “pragmatism” of former German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, could not explore her “unique approach” a little further than he does in his short article.
Bruck does not recount one major occurrence during Merkel’s chancellorship which might bring into question whether pragmatism is the appropriate descriptive word.
I am referring to the Minsk Accords, two agreements made in August 2014 and February 2015, where Germany was the main negotiator (supported by the French leader, Hollande) representing Kyiv and Russia represented the breakaway Donbas republics.
The agreements were aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the Donbas and with their other measures could have formed a blueprint for resolution of the war in the two republics. However, by early 2015, the agreed ceasefire had completely collapsed and the Donbas war continued.
At the start of its “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine (24 February 2022), Russia recognised the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk and declared the Minsk agreements “no longer in existence”. At this time, Merkel commented that the Minsk agreements had not failed, but fulfilled their real objective: to prepare Ukraine for war.
Pragmatism or deception?
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