German politician urges talks on restoring Nord Stream
The current hostile policy has been unproductive and has only harmed Germany's economy, the politician, who also serves as one of the deputy heads of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, said in an interview with Die Zeit on Sunday.
'Nord Stream is a possible opening for a conversation with Russia,' Kretschmer suggested, adding that such talks would benefit both nations. The German economy requires at least one-fifth of its gas supplies to come from Russia to function normally, he claimed.
He also pointed out that various companies had begun relocating due to high production costs and energy prices. If the situation in the economy does not improve, Germany, not Russia, will have to 'change [its] course in one or two years,' he warned.
Kretschmer's stance contrasts sharply with that of his party leader and federal chancellor, Friedrich Merz. Earlier this week, as part of a new sanctions push, Merz expressed support for an EU plan to ban any use of the Nord Stream gas pipelines and to block attempts to revive energy trade with Russia.
The head of Saxony considers such an approach counterproductive. 'As long as we say that we don't want anything, we don't want gas supplies, we only impose sanctions, no one will talk to us,' he argued.
The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipeline systems were built under the Baltic Sea to deliver Russian natural gas directly to Germany. Each system consisting of two pipelines was capable of delivering up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas a year. Three out of the pipelines' four lines were destroyed by underwater explosions in September 2022 in an act of sabotage that Russia believes was orchestrated by Western intelligence agencies.
European gas prices surged after the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022 as pipeline gas imports from Russia mostly ceased due to sanctions and the Nord Stream sabotage. In 2021, Russian pipeline gas accounted for 32% of the total demand of the EU and UK, while Germany relied on Russia for 55% of its consumption, according to the European Council.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
22 minutes ago
- Russia Today
Youth share of German population hits record low
People aged between 15 and 24 accounted for only 10% of Germany's population at the end of 2024, according to the latest figures from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Further decline of the youth population has been prevented only by the influx of migrants and refugees, the agency noted. The historically low figure was included in an agency factsheet published ahead of the International Youth Day on August 12. The relative size of Germany's young population has remained effectively unchanged since 2021, hovering around the 10% mark, according to the FSO. 'The fact that it has not fallen further since then but has stabilized is mainly due to the immigration of predominantly young people following Russia's attack on Ukraine in February 2022,' the agency said. The share of the cohort 'without immigration history' stands at just 8.6%. The highest share, 20.7%, are those born in the country to parents who had both immigrated. A sharper demographic decline has been observed in Eastern Germany compared to the west of the country, with such states as Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Saxony-Anhalt having the lowest share of young people, at just under 9%. The western city-states of Bremen and Hamburg, as well as the southwestern state of Baden-Wurttemberg, have the strongest 15-24 demographic but even the highest of them measured just over 11%. The gradual demographic decline puts further strain on Germany's economy, the head of the Federal Employment Agency, Andrea Nahles, has warned. 'The skilled labor shortage remains a major challenge for Germany as a business location,' she said. Over the past year, Germany's industrial sector has shed more than 100,000 jobs and is expected to lose 70,000 more by the end of 2025, according to analysis by consultancy EY published back in June. The country's auto sector accounted for around 45,400 net job losses, becoming the hardest-hit segment of the economy.
Russia Today
an hour ago
- Russia Today
Modi's top adviser meets Putin in Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin received Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's top security official, at the Kremlin on Thursday, the Kremlin announced. Also attending the meeting on the Russian side were Secretary of the Security Council Sergey Shoigu and presidential aide Yuri Ushakov. Representing India was Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar. Doval is visiting Moscow for high-level talks with defense and security officials. He previously met with Putin in St. Petersburg in September of 2024, where they discussed the growing partnership between the two nations. 'Our special privileged strategic partnership is gaining momentum and growing stronger, which we are delighted about. We are also pleased to see India's success in strengthening its statehood and advancing its economy under Prime Minister Modi's leadership,' Putin told Doval during their meeting last year. Earlier on Thursday, Doval held separate closed-door discussions with Sergey Shoigu and other officials. In his opening remarks before the meeting, Shoigu noted that Russia and India are 'linked by strong, trusting, time-tested bonds of friendship,' emphasizing that ties with India are 'of paramount importance' to Moscow. Shoigu stated that both countries aim to create 'a new, more just and sustainable world order, ensuring the supremacy of international law, while jointly combating modern challenges and threats.' For his part, Doval said that the Indian government will be 'delighted' to welcome Putin to New Delhi this year for the annual summit between the leaders of both countries. He added that the dates for the visit have been 'almost finalized.' Doval noted that 'the more important thing is that these summit meetings have always been watershed moments. They have consistently provided a new direction to our relations.' Doval's trip to Moscow comes amid rising tensions between New Delhi and Washington. The United States has imposed unprecedented sanctions on the nation of 1.4 billion people, accusing India of supporting 'Russia's war effort' by importing its oil. New Delhi called the move 'extremely unfortunate,' noting that the US has imposed additional tariffs on India 'for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.' India has previously stressed that its imports of Russian oil align with its national interests and the country's economic and energy security needs. It has also criticized the US and EU for targeting its relationship with Moscow while continuing their own trade with Russia across multiple sectors, including gas, critical minerals, and fertilizers.
Russia Today
2 hours ago
- Russia Today
Zelensky says ‘it's time to end the war'
Ukraine is open to talks with Russia on settling the conflict, including in a format with a third party, Vladimir Zelensky has said. In a post on Telegram on Thursday, the Ukrainian leader said he had spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss ending the conflict in what he described as 'a dignified peace' that would 'determine the security conditions for Europe for decades.' He also reported a discussion the previous day which focused on 'potential formats for meetings for peace at the level of leaders in the near future,' including two bilateral and one trilateral framework. 'Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same bold approach from the Russian side. It is time to end the war,' he said. His comments come after a visit to Moscow by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who held talks for three hours on the Ukraine conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian officials called the conversation 'constructive.' The White House said it produced better-than-expected results. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov also announced that Putin could meet with Trump as early as next week, without revealing the venue. He said that while Witkoff mentioned the possibility of trilateral talks, the issue was not specifically discussed. Zelensky has on numerous occasions called for a face-to-face meeting with Putin. Moscow has not ruled out the possibility in principle, but said it must be preceded by extensive expert groundwork. Russia has also expressed serious concern over the Ukrainian leader's legal authority to enter into binding agreements. Zelensky's presidential term expired in 2024, but he did not call new elections, citing martial law. Moscow has since labeled him 'illegitimate' and insisted that legal authority in Ukraine lies with the parliament.
