Punish France, ignore Germany, and forgive Russia.

Everyone wants Russia to be a prosperous, democratic state that is fully integrated.

They will talk about issues concerning the continued march of democracy in Europe and also in Russia,

For those critics to ignore their own past statements, exposes the hollowness of their current attacks.

Merkel knows EU integration had been driven by the decades-long relationship between Germany and France. But I think the view is shifting. I don't think that Merkel is prepared to wait for France to emerge from its political malaise.

Germany and France are united in their horror over the accident.