German foreign minister says Russia seeks to dominate Europe but lacks the economic strength, values and stability to prevail

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Russia seeks to dominate Europe but lacks the economic strength to succeed, comparing its position to that of the Soviet Union in the 1980s.

He said Russia also lacks the values and political stability needed to prevail in the long term.

“We are also under attack — that is absolutely true,” Wadephul said. But he argued that Europe’s democratic system, rule of law and values would prove more durable than Russia’s political system.