Andras Simonyi: The German foreign minister should know better
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier attend a cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin on June 22, 2016.
I am struck by the bizarre statement by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier about his disappointment with "NATO's provocation of Russia" because of the recent military exercise in Poland. I would totally discard it as a non-issue if it had not come from the foreign minister of the self-proclaimed leader of Europe [please be honest and admit] which also poses as America's foremost ally in Europe. It is upsetting and smacks of appeasement, which is not a great recipe for success as we have learned in the past. It is not only confusing, but is also very damaging. These are the kind of statements Russian President Putin has been waiting for. He must be popping Russkoe Igristoe [Russian Champagne].