Soviet Union 1991

Fifth update

If there are two culprits who prevent the unification of Europe, then it must be the Soviet Union, whose political form is completely different from that of Western Europe, and Great Britain, which has been a troublemaker in Europe for more than 500 years. There have been cartoons that satirized Britain's diplomatic goals, claiming that their goal of creating a divided Europe has never wavered.

"Unite with the Netherlands to sanction Spain, unite with France and Italy to sanction Germany, and unite with France to sanction Germany and Italy. Unite with Germany to check and balance France, and stir up Europe from the inside, instigate Germany against France, instigate France against Italy, and instigate Italy against the Netherlands. Very good, our glorious days are back. But we are all loyal to the idea of ​​a greater Europe, Prime Minister."

John Major wanted to use the people to build momentum for his plan. First, he started to attack the refugee issue, believing that the EU's proposal to accept refugees was a wrong resolution. Britain would no longer accept refugees and hoped that all these refugees would go back to their homes. If the EU does not accept the UK's proposal, then Britain will first get out of the EU and let France and Germany play the game of unifying Europe on their own.

Prime Minister Major's statement of his political stance was approved by many viewers, who also fell into the misunderstanding of thinking, believing that the current situation in Europe was caused by the introduction of refugees, and that as long as they were driven out, the British economy would be able to fully recover. More radical people believe that as long as it leaves the EU, Britain can achieve independent development. In fact, most people may not even know what the EU is.

Obviously, Prime Minister Major's speech was not taken seriously by leaders of other European countries. German Chancellor Kohl believed that Britain's move was naive and it was stupid to try to threaten the EU in this way, because all EU countries are equal and will not amend relevant laws and regulations because of Britain.

"We urge the British government to take the right path as soon as possible and adopt a reliable negotiation method, rather than trying to achieve its ulterior purpose through blackmail." Kohl exchanged opinions with Chirac in private, and the other party also believed that Prime Minister Major was just bluffing and did not really want to be independent from the EU.

"I think the UK is just jealous of our annual income, and coupled with the recent economic problems, it uses blackmail to achieve its own goals."

It is a miracle that Cole and Juppé sit at the same round table to discuss issues, not to mention that the recent unpleasant Libyan incident has caused a lot of uproar. Now the two can calmly discuss the UK's problems together, largely thanks to Juppé's restraint and calmness.

Kohl took a sip of coffee and then put it on the table. He said to Juppé, who was sitting opposite him, "But the current situation is a bit awkward. As the two major initiators of the European Union, we don't know whether to agree to the British request. Tsk tsk tsk, Prime Minister John Major has given us a difficult problem." Before Juppé could answer, Kohl continued, "If we agree to John's request, it means that EU countries may use this to threaten us to modify relevant regulations in the future. If this precedent is set, I am afraid that future trade negotiations will not be peaceful." Juppé leaned on the sofa and listened quietly to Prime Minister Kohl's relevant opinions. He maintained a calm expression from beginning to end, as if the difficult problem in front of him was just an irrelevant topic for the French Prime Minister. "If we do not agree to the British request, once we withdraw from the EU, it will inevitably cause dissatisfaction in the Netherlands, and then lead to a wave of withdrawal, just like the Soviet Union in 1991. Moreover, at that time, the Soviet Union still had control over the member states. We have nothing but the policy of economic union."

Cole rubbed his temples. The choice in front of him was more entangled than Hamlet. Once Britain withdrew from the EU, it meant that the integration action that began in the 1950s and 1960s officially failed. Although many people optimistically estimated that Britain would not leave the EU, Cole did not feel optimistic about the current situation.

"What should we do?" Cole raised his head and threw this century-old problem to Juppé. Every move they made would affect the future of a regional organization, so France and Germany would sit together to discuss the problem regardless of past grudges.

"We reject the British request. No one can break the rules set by the EU, not even the French themselves." Juppé's insistence has its reasons. Once this precedent is set, it will inevitably have a bad impact. Secondly, he bets that Britain is just relying on momentum, not really wanting to be independent from the EU, because the risk of loss is too great, and Major will not take this risk. The most important reason is that the friction between France and Britain in Libya made Juppé make this bold decision.

"But what if Britain really withdraws?" Cole is still a little worried. He has always believed that there are too many variables in Britain, and everything they think about is far behind the changes in the situation.

"While we refuse, we will also relax the restrictions appropriately, so that the British will think that we have made concessions. For example, in Libya's oil facilities, we admit that there is a dispute with the UK." Prime Minister Juppé is not talking nonsense. Germany and Britain have far more oil field disputes than France and Britain, and Germany is the one that has suffered the most losses.

"What an old fox." Cole cursed inwardly. He saw through the French tricks at a glance and rejected the proposal.

"This is not good. I think there is a better solution. Oil is an inherent interest of Germany. We will not sacrifice our own interests to help the British, never."

Cole answered decisively, leaving no room for rejection.

"Old fox." Jupe also cursed secretly. But then both of them fell into deep thought, and it was clear that neither of them was willing to give up their own interests to satisfy Britain's appetite.

"I think there will be a better solution, Prime Minister Juppe. At that time, I think Britain, France and Germany will get back together to discuss this issue."

Seeing that procrastination would be in vain, Cole stood up to say goodbye and left. Jupe did not stop him and allowed him to leave.

The first discussion between the two parties ended in vain. Delay and appeasement are the best ways to worsen the problem. Just when France and Germany were trying their best to shift the responsibility to each other, the Soviet Union, which saw an opportunity, stepped in just as the internal conflicts within the EU were becoming prominent.

If the UK is the troublemaker on the European continent, then the Soviet Union is the centrifuge that destroys the EU's internal cohesion. (To be continued.)