Future Needs Its Origins - Russia and Europe

Ulf Schneider, President & Founder, SCHNEIDER GROUP

In April 2001, I felt magnetically drawn to Moscow. That is exactly 25 years ago. I quickly found common ground and this among the supposedly very reserved people of this metropolis. Many say the same about the citizens of my hometown, Hamburg - and especially about me myself. And yet, or perhaps precisely because of this, we connected. That gave me hope from the very beginning of my Russian time of life which is still today vividly proceeding.

That same year, I traveled to Lake Baikal and on to Vladivostok. On the shores of the Pacific in the Far East, I experienced a port city that struck me as far more European than Asian. And it proved indeed, as early as 1864, two brothers from Hamburg had set out for Vladivostok to open a department store that remains a popular shopping destination to this day.

Lessons from the past

Another two remarkable people left a lasting, profound impression on me in the 1970s: They possessed strategic vision, always openly expressed their convictions, and acted accordingly. These were the then German Chancellor, Helmut Schmidt, and the leading Soviet diplomat of the same era, Valentin Falin, who would have turned 100 years these days. For me, both are role models, especially in our current times.

Helmut Schmidt and Valentin Falin both developed strategic scenarios for their countries and were committed to dialogue with those on the other side of the ‚Iron Curtain’. They suffered setbacks, but they remained steadfast in their convictions. When talks and negotiations failed, new attempts were made. Each underpinned his willingness to engage in dialogue with military strength, but the primary focus was the conviction that meaningful solutions could be achieved through keeping to talk to each other. History has proven them both right in their attitude, and this is how, for example, the INF Treaty on the elimination of intermediate-range missiles came about. We Russians and Europeans should now consider, with a cool head, how we can build upon this foundation. The guiding principle should be the conviction that we want to prevent a new ‚Iron Curtain‘ and that people in East and West can live together in peace and understanding. We share so many cultural similarities, and economically and scientifically, we can complement each other exceptionally well. The focus now must not be on who is to blame for what. What matters now is that everyone asks themselves what they, personally, can contribute to a new understanding, both in large and small ways.

Change-through-trade – Despite all setbacks

Let's look back to the 1970s: The legendary natural gas pipeline deal can still be considered a masterpiece of sound economic solutions, diplomacy, and politics from today's perspective. There were individuals with pragmatic visions for the future, such as the German entrepreneur Otto Wolff von Amerongen, who was admired as the unofficial "Minister of Trade for the East" of the Federal Republic of Germany. These two were people who could convincingly translate visions into viable strategies and concrete actions, and who, through a concerted effort between managers, diplomats, and politicians, could bring them on board - even those who had initially vehemently torpedoed the project with sanctions from the other side of the Atlantic.

The historically successful concept of "Change through Trade" - first established over 1,000 years ago between Germans and Russians - has suffered a significant setback nowadays, but it has always brought people together. A European ambassador to Russia recently told me that trade has clearly led to changes in societal development on both sides. I completely agree, and this motivates me to stand firmly behind it despite all the obstacles and setbacks.

Peace needs mutual understanding

Neither side will be able to resolve the current conflict through military means. Peace and freedom are only achievable if there is a mutually accepted understanding - on both a political and societal level. Russians and Europeans should jointly consider which solutions would benefit everyone. This could, for example, involve opening up airspace: As a first step, Russia could once again grant overflight rights to Western airlines. In return, the West should provide maintenance and purchase of spare parts for Airbus and Boeing aircraft belonging to the Russian civilian fleet. This would benefit the environment, aviation safety, and people's freedom of movement.

We are facing a difficult and rocky road. Nevertheless, I do hope to find many allies along this path.