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germanic diplomacy at its finest.....

Thousands of Volkswagen workers in Germany went on strike on Monday after the company announced plans to close three plants and slash pensions. 

"Warning strikes will begin Monday in all plants," said Thorsten Gröger, who is leading the union negotiations with German auto giant.

"If necessary, this will be the toughest wage dispute Volkswagen has ever seen."

Tens of thousands of employees with the IG Metall union stopped work at 9:30 a.m. The strike is set to last two hours, a process which will be repeated by the late shift.

The move is a response to €18 billion ($19 billion) in budget cuts at the struggling carmaker, which includes major changes to its generous pension plan and an unprecedented three plant closures within Germany. 

"We demand that all make their contribution — management and the shareholder side as well," workers' council leader Daniela Cavallo said at the rally outside VW's flagship plant in Wolfsburg, referencing a demand from employees that executives take cuts to their Christmas bonuses.

She said the next round of talks, schedule to take place next week, "is likely to set the course — rapprochement or escalation. We are ready for both."

Sluggish economy

The issues at Volkswagen highlight the struggles facing the eurozone's economic powerhouse.

Germany's export-heavy economy has been suffering in recent years due to declining industrial orders.

VW, for example, has seen its once-lucrative Chinese market rapidly shrinking as domestically produced electric vehicles become more popular there. Moreover, looming EU tariffs on Chinese EVs have prompted fears of retaliatory measures.

In October, VW reported a 64% plummet in third-quarter profits. Other German automakers, such as BMWand Mercedes-Benz, have also reported major losses.

https://www.dw.com/en/volkswagen-workers-strike-at-factories-across-germany/a-70933630

 

YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

 

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

 

PLEASE DO NOT BLAME RUSSIA IF WW3 STARTS. BLAME YOURSELF.

dumme Diplomatie....

The chancellor made the previously-unannounced visit to reaffirm Berlin's support for Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is in China, warning UN Security members to not add fuel to conflicts. DW has more.

What you need to know
  • German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has arrived in Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
  • It is the German leader's first trip to Ukraine in more than two years
  • German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the use of Chinese-made drones and deployment of North Korean troops on Russian territory was widening the conflict
  • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine must find diplomatic solutions to retake some of its occupied territory from Russia

Here are the latest developments in Russia's war in Ukraine on Monday, December 2.

 Skip next section German military aid for Ukraine to include air defense systems and tanks7 hours ago7 hours agoGerman military aid for Ukraine to include air defense systems and tanks

German military aid that will arrive in Ukraine in December includes IRIS-T air defense systems, Leopard 1 tanks and armed drones.

"Winter is just around the corner, so there will also be winter equipment, as well as hand-held weapons and warming devices," a German defense ministry spokesperson said just hours after Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Kyiv.

The ministry said that the deliveries were part of an aid package already announced by Berlin in October.

 

Kremlin not expecting anything from Scholz visit to Ukraine

The Kremlin said Monday that it had no "expectations" from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to Ukraine.

"Germany is continuing its line of unconditional support to Ukraine," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Scholz spoke by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin last month.

 

Zelenskyy eyeing diplomacy to reclaim occupied territory
Ukraine must find diplomatic solutions to retake some of its occupied territory from Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Japan's Kyodo News published on Monday.

The Ukrainian president said diplomacy could be an option "only when we know that we are strong enough," he told the news agency.

Zelenskyy said US President-elect Donald Trump and his team were evaluating the Ukrainian "victory plan" and expected more talks with them to explain "certain things in more detail."

 

Baerbock slams Chinese drones in Beijing visit

Russia is bringing Asia into the war in Ukraine with the use of Chinese-made drones and deployment of North Korean troops on Russian territory, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Monday.

Baerbock, who is in Beijing, stressed the responsibility of permanent members of the UN Security Council, which includes China, not to add fuel to conflicts.

"Drones from Chinese factories and North Korean troops attacking peace in the center of Europe violate our core European security interests," Baerbock said after meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

Baerbock told Wang that "increasing Chinese support for Russia's war against Ukraine has an impact on our relations," according to a readout from Germany's foreign ministry.

"Core German and European security interests are affected," she said.

Beijing says it is neutral over the war in Ukraine and it will not send lethal assistance to either side, unlike the United States and other Western nations.

 

https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-updates-olaf-scholz-makes-surprise-visit-to-kyiv/live-70934214

 

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YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

 

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

 

PLEASE DO NOT BLAME RUSSIA IF WW3 STARTS. BLAME YOURSELF.

 

germanic rudeness....

German reporters were reportedly kicked out of a meeting between Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing on Monday, according to the newspaper Handelsblatt. During the talks, Baerbock accused China of fueling the Ukraine conflict by allegedly providing military support to Russia.

The German diplomat reiterated Berlin’s claims that Beijing is supplying drones and other weapons and means of warfare to Russia.

After the meeting, Baerbock stated that the talks were “clear in content and friendly in tone,” but reiterated her claims that “drones from Chinese factories and North Korean Troops”are “attacking peace in the middle of Europe” and hurting its “central security interests.” She did not provide evidence for the drone claim, which Beijing has repeatedly denied.

The criticism reportedly prompted Chinese security forces to push the German press out of the meeting, with the talks concluding behind closed doors. They were not followed by a joint press conference or communique.

Prior to her trip to Beijing, the German foreign minister also criticized China for allegedly assisting Russia in the conflict and called on the international community to increase pressure on the Chinese government in order to achieve a settlement.

Last month, she threatened Beijing with sanctions in response to unconfirmed reports about the supposed existence of a factory in China that was producing drones for Russia.

China has dismissed the accusations of providing drones to the Russian military as “baseless speculation and vilification,” insisting that it “handles the export of military products prudently and responsibly.” 

“We have never provided lethal weapons to any party of the conflict, and strictly control the export of military and dual-use drones in accordance with laws and regulations,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian has said.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated in a press release on Monday that during his meeting with Baerbock, Wang had “comprehensively and systematically elaborated China’s position of being committed to peacemaking and promoting talks.”

He also stressed the need for Germany and China to develop relations based on mutual respect and understanding, stressing that relations between the two countries are not aimed against any other countries and should not be influenced by any third party.

https://www.rt.com/news/608663-germany-china-russia-ukraine/

 

READ FROM TOP.

 

YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

 

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

 

PLEASE DO NOT BLAME RUSSIA IF WW3 STARTS. BLAME YOURSELF.