L’unificazione della Germania e l’allargamento della NATO: la prospettiva di un interprete

Abstract

The paper considers European reactions to the fast-paced process of German unification, which took everyone by surprise: the concerns of Paris, the tension and confusion of Margaret Thatcher, the reaction of Gorbachev (Kohl is “rash and irresponsible”). The anxiety of Moscow, who feared that reunification would be the final blow to perestroika, led to unrealistic and dangerous proposals from the Soviet apparatus. The crux was that of German neutrality: the shadow of NATO’s “eastward expansion” led to groundless accusations leveled at Gorbachev.