Russian Foreign Ministry Responds to Scholz
The German chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Vladimir Putin fears democracy spreading into Russia. In an interview with Münchner Merkur, Scholz was asked whether Moscow would welcome closer ties between Ukraine and the European Union. He argued that Putin shows anxiety about democracy reaching Russian shores and suggested this fear has shaped Moscow’s long standing policy aimed at weakening NATO and the European Union.
Scholz observed that Putin must recognize a growing neighborhood of legal democracies closing ranks and that Russia cannot stand apart from this trend forever. He added that the Russian leader seeks a Europe divided into spheres of influence, though Scholz believes such a division will not endure. The chancellor reaffirmed support for the European Commission’s recommendation granting Ukraine candidate status for EU membership, reflecting a belief that Ukraine’s path toward closer European integration aligns with the European project as a whole.
In the interview Scholz dismissed Moscow’s argument that a drop in gas supplies stemmed from sanctions related shortages of spare parts. He called that explanation implausible and warned that energy prices are likely to remain elevated for a lengthy period. He also praised Angela Merkel’s approach to Russia, expressing confidence in the former chancellor’s decisions and asserting that peaceful coexistence remains a valid and constructive policy for neighboring states.
The Russian Foreign Ministry quickly weighed in. Maria Zakharova, the ministry’s spokesperson, commented on Scholz’s claim that democracy might spread from Europe to Russia and noted that German ideas have already sparked debates in Russia on several occasions. She asserted that Russia will not permit new fires to be ignited and described Scholz’s remarks as part of a broader political display surrounding visits by U.S. and European leaders to Ukraine. The ministry framed the visit as a demonstration of political positions rather than a concrete turning point in the crisis.
What Putin Has Said About Democracy
Putin has, in major forums, described Western efforts to project democracy as a political motive driven by influence rather than virtue. At the Eastern Economic Forum in September 2021 he argued that democracy cannot be forced on others and that if a people desire it they will pursue it themselves without coercion. He pointed to Afghanistan as an example of how externally promoted models can fail to take root in local contexts.
Putin has repeatedly argued against importing democracy, emphasizing that Russia should develop its political system in its own way and on its own timeline. He described Russia as a democratic and sovereign nation with strengths and challenges alike, a view he shared during a conversation with filmmaker Oliver Stone. In 2020 he stated that genuine democracy and civil society cannot be manufactured by outsiders or foreign sponsors while criticizing imported schemes that lack internal substance.
During a June 17 address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin reiterated that Russia does not oppose Ukraine joining the European Union. He clarified that the EU is not a military bloc like NATO and that a country should decide its own path regarding economic unions. He emphasized that the ultimate choice rests with the people and authorities of the country considering such steps, and that Moscow’s position on this issue remains clear and consistent.
Putin stressed that Russia does not aim to obstruct Ukraine’s aspirations but also believes that any move toward closer alignment with European structures should be pursued with full respect for national sovereignty and within each nation’s political timetable. He underscored that decisions about membership and association are the sovereign prerogative of the states involved and that Russia will not dictate how others shape their own destinies.