‘We tried to civilise Russia. We did not succeed.’ 

In a world where new powers, forces and risks are emerging, it is time to reset the EU’s common foreign and defence policy, says Joachim Bitterlich. Chancellor Helmut Kohl’s chief advisor talks to Investment Officer about what a lack of realpolitik brings about. “How do we ensure our economic independence in a world with challenges like China, Russia and Africa? It is about raw materials, trade relations, investments and avoiding dependencies.”