The British news magazine “The Economist” published a rather inglorious list on Monday, on which people prefer not to be mentioned. It lists Vladimir Putin’s “useful idiots” – Austria is also mentioned, even taking second place.
“Too many European politicians fail in dealing with Russia,” writes the well-known newspaper in the introduction. While Russia’s attempts to maintain influence in Europe have not been entirely successful, they have not completely failed either.
Despite the overwhelming support for Ukraine, which continues to suffer from Russia’s brutal and unjust war, a subculture of people who condone the crimes of the Putin regime persists.
Political margins agree on “peace”.
The Economist has got it right, listing all those “useful idiots” who are promoting the Kremlin’s narrative in the West and harming Ukraine as well. The magazine points out that the far-right and far-left parties, which often have fundamental contradictions, are united in demanding an immediate “peace” in Ukraine that will end “Russian war aggression with the conquered and occupied territories would effectively reward” and thus accepts Moscow’s territorial gains.
Despite numerous Western sanctions and condemnations of Russian crimes in Ukraine, Russia still has many “friends” in the West. For example, former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder is mentioned here, who is openly declared to be a “Putin-understander”.
Putin’s “obvious sidekick”.
While several European governments have been counted among Putin’s aides, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, one of Putin’s “most obvious cronies,” according to the paper, is the most prominent. This is justified by the fact that Orbán has repeatedly criticized Western support for Ukraine and that his government continues to import Russian gas into Hungary. Orban’s government also refuses the transit through his country of weapons supplied to Ukraine by Hungarian NATO and EU partners.
Austria continues its trade
Austria is also named right after Hungary: in regard to its neutrality, Austria “withdrew from the fight” – on the grounds that it was not a NATO member and preferred to build a bridge between East and West. On the other hand, Ukraine receives little support, but trade with Russia has increased considerably. Money that indirectly ends up in the war chest.
Greece, too, is said to have put the brakes on EU sanctions – although it is an EU member, there are still hesitations about tightening restrictions on the transport of Russian oil, possibly because Greek companies profit from this trade.
Countries use lucrative backdoors
Greece, another EU member, has complied with EU sanctions but has been hesitant to tighten restrictions on the transport of Russian oil, possibly because Greek companies profit from the trade. In contrast, non-EU countries such as Turkey and Serbia, which experience much less international pressure, would not even try to hide the lucrative loopholes they offer Russia.
Switzerland also fares only moderately well in the rankings – citing its “vaunted” neutrality, arms shipments to Ukraine are blocked; including 96 mothballed Leopard tanks from Italy, which turned out to be owned by a private Swiss company.
According to The Economist, the explanations of the “useful idiots” are astonishingly resilient. The magazine has – apart from neutrality – their main statements collected:
- NATO “provoked” Russia’s repeated attacks on Ukraine and its eventual invasion.
- Ukraine is an artificial entity created on territory that rightfully belongs to Russia.
- The US likes to add fuel to the fire to sell weapons and maintain its global hegemony.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
