Prime Minister of Saxony Michael Kretschmer (CDU) has called for a fundamental return of energy supplies from Russia. “We must also look at sanctions against Russia from our own economic interests,” he told the Funke media group newspaper.
According to Kretschmer, Germany has an interest in providing energy again after the ceasefire Russia to be sent. “Economic relations also increase our security,” he said.
Kretschmer: “Russia attacks other countries”
Kretschmer has represented the position several times in the past. He believes Europe needs energy at affordable prices. Therefore, Russia “must in the future return to being a trading partner – without making us a new dependency.” The slogan “never again Russia” is wrong.
When asked if he did not feel threatened by Putin, Kretschmer answered evasively: “Russia is attacking other countries.” It is true that Germany must now “position itself to be able to defend itself”, but this “can only be achieved if we are economically strong”.
Sanctions since the war of aggression
The federal CDU and changing federal governments have always rejected the demands of Saxon CDU politicians arguing that Russia should end the war in Ukraine. However, so far there has been no sign of peace efforts from the Russian side.
Russia had significantly reduced its gas deliveries to Germany before the attack on Ukraine in February 2022. As a result of the war of aggression, the EU imposed broad sanctions on Russia. Therefore, gas and oil pipelines from Russia are no longer sent to Germany. In October, EU countries agreed to phase out remaining natural gas imports from Russia by the end of 2027.
