Linke wants to relax Russia's sanctions in the gas dispute - and hold talks about Nord Stream 2
Created: 07/06/2022Updated: 07/06/2022 10:24 am
By: Franziska Schwarz
Insolvency estate of Nord Stream 2: Pipeline pipes in a ferry port in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania © Jens Koehler/Imago
Left-wing politician Klaus Ernst complains that the energy policy sanctions against Russia are ineffective - but the risk they pose to German industry is great.
Düsseldorf – Nord Stream 2 is on hold because of the Ukraine conflict.
But in order to secure Germany's gas supply, the traffic light coalition must talk to Russia about the project again - and relax the sanctions.
The left parliamentary group energy expert Klaus Ernst demanded this from the
Rheinische Post
.
He suggested putting the Baltic Sea pipeline into operation for a limited period of time.
An interruption in the gas supply would not only affect the citizens, but irreparably damage “the industrial backbone” of Germany.
The left-wing politician argued that the energy policy sanctions were not working.
They did not slow down military activity in Ukraine.
“On the contrary: the energy sanctions benefit Russia.
They mean that although less is sold, the proceeds from these sales are higher overall.”
Visits to Ukraine during the war: Politics show solidarity
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Russia sanctions in the Ukraine war: But talks about Nord Stream 2?
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) only wants to talk about lifting international sanctions when there is a fair agreement between Moscow and Kyiv in the Ukraine war, he said at the G7 summit in Elmau.
But he also said: "Unfortunately, it can currently be observed that Russia is continuing the war with unchanged brutality."
Vladimir Putin, on the other hand, sneered at Western sanctions last month, calling them "insane" and "thoughtless."
The punitive measures also hit the EU hard.
He estimated the damage to Europe at $400 billion.
"Right from the start, the economic blitzkrieg had no chance of success," said the head of the Kremlin at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg.
Gas dispute with Russia: Sanctions felt - among the Russian people
However, there are other voices.
The business magazine
Capital
reported in mid-June that workers and consumers in Russia are beginning to feel the effects of the sanctions.
One indication is the number of jobs advertised, according to the Headhunter recruitment platform, they fell by almost 30 percent in April compared to the previous month.
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The Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 2 has been completed.
However, Germany put the approval process on hold shortly before Russian troops invaded Ukraine.
Gas supply via Nord Stream 1 has throttled Russia.
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck fears that Russia will soon no longer be sending gas to Western Europe.
(frs with dpa)
