Russia-EU relations and three NGOs newly banned in Russia

Wolfgang Münchau seems to be convinced that the Nord Stream 2 project is about the worst thing in the world. Or at least in Eueope. In his Eurointelligence public post of June 1 and May 28 ("Crisis in Russian-German relations"), he makes it sound like the Nord Stream 2 project is something like a completey complete capitulation of German sovereignty to Vladimir Putin.

I wrote about this last year in EU-US trade disputes, including digital firm taxes and Nord Stream 2.

In today's article, Münchau refers to three German NGOs operating in Russia that were banned, organizations that probably very few EU citizens have ever heard of:

The three NGOs are the Center for Liberal Modernity, the German Russian Exchange, and the much smaller Forum of Russian-Speaking Europeans. Russia banned them over undesirable activities that violate Russian interests. Russia accuses the organisations of justifying terrorist activities and of resisting Russian energy projects, including Nord Stream 2.

I would assume - knowing virtually nothing about the specifics - that the charge of "justifying terrorist activities" is mostly bogus, if only because it doesn't fit with the other charge. If an NGO is trying to lobby against the Nord Stream 2 project in Russia, why would it risk its credibility by "justifying terrorist activities"?

This is another reminder that international relations operate on a continuum from those activities formally considered totally legitimate to those that are cynical and illegal. And intelligence agencies will operate to gather information and promote national policy ends across that whole spectrum. It's very hard for citizens and news consumers to make an isolated judgment in cases like this where these three little-known NGOs are banned without a great deal more information about the context.

But Münchau seems to think this is all part a larger failure of German foreign policy testosterone in relations with Russia:

In this context we noted a comment by the British journalist Will Hutton who made the observation that the dictators are winning against the democrats. We agree with his observation, but disagree with the reasons. It is not because the west was not living according to its values, as Hutton argues, but because the west is willing to do dirty deals with the dictators for short-term gains, and not stand up to them. The ban of the three German NGOs is the best example of what happens if you don't. [my emphasis]

Here is some additional information about the NGOS in question. Center for Liberal Modernity (Das Progressive Zentrum website):

The Center for Liberal Modernity is a German think tank that was founded by the Green politicians Marieluise Beck and Ralf Fücks in 2017. LibMod is aimed to be a rallying point for free thinkers from different political camps, finding answers to the challenges of our time and promoting the formation of political thought in that spirit.

From the Center's website, Statement by Ralf Fücks und Marieluise Beck 05/27/2021:

Our by far biggest German-Russian project is “Climate change and eco­nomic modernization of Russia”, which comprises numerous experts from both coun­tries. In addition, we are running a German-Russian dia­logue project about the importance of Andrei Sakharov. We also host the website www.russlandverstehen.eu and the annual international conference “Russia and the West”. Our Russia-related activities are partially funded by the German Foreign Ministry.

We never disguised our critical position versus the Putin-Regime which made us focus on cooperation with Russian civil society and engaging in the debate about adequate policies vis a vis Russia in both Germany and the EU. Our dream (for the future) is a democratic and European Russia.

German Russian Exchange (DRA) website: Russia labeled the DRA as "undesirable" 05/26/2021:

During all years of its existence, the DRA has provided tens of thousands of people with additional expertise and intercultural experience through specialist and educational programs, volunteer stays, resource centers and projects to overcome conflict. In addition, our work has made possible personal contacts that have shaped the lives of those involved for many years or even forever. By co-founding and developing important international platforms, the DRA has brought civil societies in many countries closer together. Finally, for years the organization has been a member of the Petersburg Dialogue which promotes cooperation between civil societies in Germany and Russia.

Deutsche Welle reports (German-Russian Petersburg Dialogue forum in jeopardy over NGO ban 05/28/2021): "The Forum of Russian-Speaking Europeans, meanwhile, was founded in 2017 by a Berlin-based Russian exile. The organization describes itself as a network of actors 'subscribing to liberal-democratic values, who oppose Putin's dictatorship, aggression and propaganda.' The NGO stages anti-Kremlin protest events." (my emphasis)