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Markus Feldenkirchen
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How would you stop Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine?
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Tilman Kuban
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Well, first of all I would make sure that in the end we as the German government speak with one voice, because what we are experiencing at the moment is that you don’t really know: what is the government’s stance?
You have to give this government a few days.
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Markus Feldenkirchen
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What specifically bothers you?
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Tilman Kuban
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Well, I find it somehow a bit strange when the SPD talks about a conflict they have talked about on the one hand and Annalena Baerbock on the other hand takes a clear edge.
The people in the nose ring are dragged through the arena because we are not clear about our position.
And I think that...
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Markus Feldenkirchen
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Where are you?
Let's say following in the footsteps of Gerhard Schröder or Annalena Baerbock, who would like to have a different foreign policy, including clear statements towards Putin.
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Tilman Kuban
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Well, I think I'm a bit closer to Annalena Baerbock there, I think it's right to have a clear stance there and also to be clear on this issue.
And we ourselves are sitting here, a two-and-a-half-hour flight away, in the warmth and explaining something about a conflict that was talked about.
I honestly can't understand that because the people there are scared and worried.
And everyone who looks at it and everyone who has been there.
And when people from our partner parties there, from the youth organizations, report to me that there are 200 violations of the ceasefire agreement per week, then I have to seriously ask myself whether this is really just a conflict that was talked about or whether it is actually already there war is.
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Markus Feldenkirchen
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Clear announcements, you say, that too is easy to say.
What does that mean in concrete terms, for example for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline?
Can it actually still go into operation under the current conditions?
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Tilman Kuban
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To be honest, I find this debate about Nord Stream 2 a bit misguided.
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Markus Feldenkirchen
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Why?
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Tilman Kuban
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Because the debate is actually: Do we take gas from Russia or do we not take gas from Russia?
In fact, we take gas from Russia.
To be honest, we in Germany will not be able to achieve the energy transition without Russian gas.
That is part of the truth.
And that's where you have to tell people the truth and not beat about the bush.
Anyone who claims otherwise.
Personally I would say I am personally sure that we need gas in transition technology.
And that's why we won't be able to do it without Russian gas.
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Markus Feldenkirchen
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With you, that means further Nord Stream 2. Another question: Should Ukraine be equipped with defensive weapons, as the British are doing, for example?
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Tilman Kuban
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Personally, I don't believe that we are fueling this war in particular.
But of course, if there is a significant attack on Ukraine there, then we will have to stand by Ukraine.
I am firmly convinced of that.
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Markus Feldenkirchen
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What does that mean?
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Tilman Kuban
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When in doubt, also with arms deliveries.
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Markus Feldenkirchen
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With arms shipments or with troops?
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Tilman Kuban
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With arms deliveries.
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Markus Feldenkirchen
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As a member of the Bundestag, you will probably have to vote on a difficult question in the next few weeks: General vaccination yes or no?
What would you say for or against?
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Tilman Kuban
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Personally, I have a clear stance on this, and I have already made it clear several times how I stand on this. Personally, I am very committed to ensuring that there is an expansion of 2G rules, that 2G also applies in the workplace, that 2G also applies in the S-Bahn and U-Bahn. Personally, I think it's a kind of compulsory vaccination. But in the end I can, if I am concerned with the question of how it is designed, a question of state feeling. Personally, I can't imagine the police running through the streets and saying: "Show me your ID", I think that's wrong, I think it's a wrong understanding of the state. But think it right to say that it must be vaccinated consistently,if someone lives on a hermitage somewhere in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and goes shopping once a week or even has things delivered. And if he's not vaccinated, that's fine with me. But in case of doubt, if someone, but if someone is in public events, if he goes to the football stadium, if he goes to the theater, to the cinema, if he travels by bus or train, if he endangers others at work, then the person and should the person be vaccinated. And that's why I have a clear stance on it.if he is endangering others in the workplace, then he must and should be vaccinated. And that's why I have a clear stance on it.if he is endangering others in the workplace, then he must and should be vaccinated. And that's why I have a clear stance on it.
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Markus Feldenkirchen
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So a vaccination for mobile people, or what do I hear from that?
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Tilman Kuban
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No.
Personally, I say we should demand a consistent expansion of 2G and for me that is a de facto vaccination requirement.
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