Lindner warns of embargo against Russia

Created: 04/02/2022, 17:15

Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) speaks at the state party conference of the North Rhine-Westphalian FDP.

© Roland Weihrauch/dpa

Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) has warned against imposing an embargo on Russia and abruptly stopping energy supplies to Germany because of the war in Ukraine.

It is true that work must be done as quickly as possible to end dependence on Russia, Lindner confirmed on Saturday at a state party conference of the North Rhine-Westphalian FDP in Duisburg.

Duisburg - "But we shouldn't decide on any sanctions that weaken us strategically," he emphasized.

"We want to weaken Putin, not ourselves."

It is not even a question of money, but Germany is currently physically unable to compensate for the high dependence on gas, oil, coal and other energies from Russia, explained Lindner.

But now we have to talk about fair world trade in the circle of liberal democracies.

For example, Germany could intensify its energy policy relations with Canada and economic relations with the USA.

In any case, there will be further support for Ukraine from Germany - "also in the form of the supply of the necessary weapons," said Lindner.

Germany had struggled with arms deliveries for decades - especially with a view to German history, he noted.

But he has learned one thing from conversations with Ukrainians in the past few weeks: "German history is no excuse for doing nothing, but in the case of Ukraine in particular, German history is an expression of the responsibility to really do something and help," emphasized the finance minister.

The war of aggression on Ukraine is the end of any deception about the criminal intentions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Lindner.

"Therefore, Vladimir Putin's Russia must be completely isolated politically, financially and economically," said Lindner.

That is why there are unprecedentedly severe sanctions against Russia, which are being expanded step by step.

"Putin's war chest has been hit hard," he said.

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"Putin must not and will not achieve his war goals," emphasized Lindner.

The Russian ruler, on the other hand, has already achieved an unintended goal: "The group of liberal democracies knows again what it means to work together and this group is closer together." dpa