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Germany should discuss the relaxation of sanctions against Moscow, a main member of Christian Democrats in the center-right of Friedrich Merz said, arguing that punitive measures hurt Europe than Vladimir Putin.
Michael Kretschmer, The Cdu Premier in the East German State of Saxony, Became the Latest in a Series of Politicians from Europe’s Large nation to float the idea of ​​Resuming Ties with Russia – A Stance that prompt Harsh Criticism from supporters of Ukraine.
Kretschmer said that the insistence of leaders in Germany and Europe on the maintenance of punitive measures against Moscow was “completely obsolete and does not correspond to what the Americans are doing at the moment”.
He told the German news agency DPA: “When you realize that you weaken more than your opponent, you must think about the question of whether it is right.”
Kretschmer, whose state of Saxony is a bastion of support for the far-right and far left parties accused of sympathy for Putin, added: “A continuous discussion on which of these sanctions could be more detrimental to us than Russia should not be possible,” he said. “But that doesn’t happen.”
Kretschmer, who is also a long -standing opponent of arms deliveries to Ukraine, is the last of a series of figures for both MerzThe CDU on the central right and center-left social democrats have become public in recent weeks with calls to use economic or energy ties with Russia.
This has created a problem for Merz – who is almost sure to be the next Chancellor of Germany – as well as for his probable coalition partners in the SPD at a time when he tries to get started as a solid partner for Ukraine and for Europe.
The Green Festival of Germany, which is strongly pro-Kyiv, called on Sunday to Merz to repress “the friends of Putin” in his group.
Party’s parliamentary co -leader, Britta Haßelmann, said that she was dismayed by Kretschmer’s remarks and urged the CDU chief to grasp those who sought to relaunch Germany’s “Moscow connection” – a reference to the long links between the parts of the German country.
The relationship was embodied by the former SPD chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, a close friend of Putin who was chairman of the board of directors of the Russian oil company belonging to the State, Rosneft until Invasion of Ukraine. But some CDU figures have long been defenders for economic ties to Russia and skeptics of military support in kyiv.
“Friedrich Merz and the CDU management can no longer dodge the problem and finally have to take a clear position on the rebirth of Moscow’s connection,” said Haßelmann. “Time to keep silent on the question is over.”
In recent weeks, several politicians from the two largest centrist parties in Germany have publicly supported the idea of ​​restoring economic ties with Moscow.
CDU deputy Thomas Bareiß responded to the reports – including in the Financial Times – on the possible resurrection of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline by writing a Post LinkedIn praising “how are our American professional spirit friends”.
He added: “When peace is restored and the weapons are silent between #Russia and #ukraine (and I hope that it will happen soon), relations will normalize, the embargoes will be lifted sooner or later and, of course, #gas can flow again, perhaps this time in a #piline under American control.”
Jan Heinisch, a politician from the CDU of the North Westphalia Rhineland state who is part of the team’s head coalition speaks on energy, told Politico: “If just and secure peace is found one day, then we must be authorized to speak again about the purchase of Russian gas.”
The high-level members of the SPD also discussed the idea, in particular Dietmar Woidke, the Prime Minister of the East German State of Brandenburg. He called for a normalization of German trade relations with Russia after a peace agreement, including in raw materials, saying: “I really believe that economic relations can also help improve relations between Europe and Russia overall.”
