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Germany should discuss the alleviation of sanctions against Moscow, the head of a member of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz, claims that repressive measures hurt Europe even more than Vladimir Putin.
Michael Kretschmer, Prime Minister CDU in the East German State of Saxony, has become the latest of a number of politicians from the largest European nation to arouse the idea of renewing custody with Russia – an attitude that caused hard criticism from supporters Ukraine.
Kretschmer said that the insistence of leaders in Germany and Europe was about maintaining repressive measures against Moscow was “completely outdated and not even suitable for what the Americans are doing right now”.
He told the German press agency DPA: “When you realize that you are weakening more than your opponent, you have to think about whether it is all right.”
Kretschmer, whose state of Saxony is the strength of support for the far -right and lie down of the accused of disagreement with Putin, added: “The constant discussion of which of these sanctions could be more harmful to us than Russia,” he said. “But that's not happening.”
Kretschmer, who is also a long -term rival of weapons to Ukraine, is the latest in a number of characters from both MerzCentral CDUs and Central-Levé Social Democrats who have published themselves in recent weeks with challenges to restore economic or energy links with Russia.
This has created a problem for the mermaid – who is sure he is another Chancellor of Germany – and also for his probable coalition partners in the SPD at a time when trying to ride as a strong partner for Ukraine and Europe.
The German green side, which is strongly pro-Kyiv, urged Merz on his side to grip on “friends of Putin”.
Parliamentary co-founder of the Britta Haßelmann said she was appalled by Kretschmer's notes and urged the CDU leaders to gain adhesion to those who tried to revive the German “Moscow connection” -DOP for long-term links between German, finance and politics, finance and politics, funding and politics, finance and politics, finance, finance And politics, financing and politics, financing and politics that were the most important accompaniment to gas for gas.
The relationship was embodied by former Chancellor SPD Gerhard Schröder, a close friend of Putin, who was the chairman of the board of the state oil company Rosneft until he eventually resigned in May 2022 after Putin full of scale invasion of Ukraine. However, some numbers in the CDU have also long been advocates of economic ties with Russia and skeptics of military support for Kiev.
“Friedrich Merz and CDU management can no longer move the problem and must finally take a clear attitude to the revival of the Moscow connection,” Haßelmann said. “Time for silence in this matter ended.”
In recent weeks, several politicians from the two largest central parties of Germany have publicly supported the idea of restoring economic ties with Moscow.
CDU deputy Thomas Bareiß replied to reports-including financial times-the possible resurrection of the gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 by writing a post LinkedIn, who appreciated “how our American friends are focused”.
He added: “When peace is restored and weapons are quiet between #russia and #ukraine (and hopefully it will soon happen), the relationships will normalize, the embargo will be canceled sooner or later, and of course #gas can flow again, maybe this time in #pipeline under American control.”
Jan Heinisch, a CDU politician from North Rhine-Westphalia, who is part of the team leader, Politico said, “If one day a fair and safe peace is found, then we have to talk about buying Russian gas again.”
The highly profile members of the SPD also dealt with the idea, including Dietmar Woidke, the Prime Minister of the East German State of Brandenburg. After a peace agreement, including raw materials, and said: “I really believe that economic relations can also contribute to improving relations between Europe and Russia generally called for normalization of business relations with Russia.”
