Amid debate in the AfD over the meaning and dangers of contacts with Russia, Saxony Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) has expressed his support for resuming gas deliveries in the future. “We must also look at sanctions against Russia from our own economic interests,” the CDU politician told the Funke media group. “Our interest is to continue energy supplies from Russia after the ceasefire. Economic ties also enhance our security.”
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 “No more 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 on defense,” but this “can only be achieved if we are economically strong.”
Kretschmer has represented this position several times. The federal CDU and the changing federal government have always rejected the demands of Saxon CDU politicians with the argument that Russia should end the war in Ukraine, but there is no sign of this. That is why the EU wants to completely stop purchasing energy from Russia.
CDU foreign politician Roderich Kiesewetter sharply criticized his party colleagues’ statements. “It makes no sense to think about sending energy from Russia right now, when Russia is bombing Ukrainian homes and energy infrastructure every day,” Kiesewetter told “Handelsblatt” on Saturday. Such statements are “counterproductive nonsense and security policy”.
Germany’s interests should be “for Ukraine to win the war, restore its 1991 borders and push back Russia completely,” Kiesewetter said. Russia under President Vladimir Putin has had to abandon its imperial ambitions. “We cannot achieve this by repeating old mistakes or covering up.” The “biggest danger” for Europe is Russia.
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 against Moscow. 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.
