Three candidates for chancellor argue: If necessary, Nord Stream will be turned off again


Three candidates for chancellor argue
In an emergency, Nord Stream is turned off again

In Ukraine, people are curious about the positions of the three German chancellor candidates on Nord Stream 2: Scholz and Laschet would only stop the gas pipeline in an emergency. The Green Baerbock would bury the project before completion.

The Chancellor candidates from Union and SPD want to stop gas deliveries through the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 2 under Russian pressure on Ukraine. If Russian President Vladimir Putin does not stick to the rules and use the project against Ukraine, “you can stop it at any time, even if the pipeline is ready,” said Union Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet at one of the ARD and of the Munich Security Conference organized discussion of the Chancellor candidates. Then the “business basis” for the German approval of the project would no longer apply.

“The impairment of gas transit and security for Ukraine has consequences for the possible transit for the then completed pipeline,” said SPD Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz. Both described the pipeline as an economic matter and pleaded for the completion of the nearly completed billion-dollar project.

Baerbock for construction freeze

In contrast, Green Chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock refused to complete the pipeline. Putin’s calculation is to first build the pipeline and then put pressure on the West, with its dependence on Russian gas, and on Ukraine. She demanded that the last outstanding operating license should not be issued. If necessary, one must also be prepared to pay compensation.

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is expected to bring more Russian gas to Western Europe. Both Eastern European countries and the USA have criticized the project. The German government rejects the warning that the company is overly dependent on Russian gas. A solution should be found by August as to how it can be guaranteed that Ukraine will remain a transit country for Russian gas in the future.

Lip service to Ukraine

For Ukraine’s hopes of joining the EU and NATO, the positioning of the three candidates for the Chancellery is also likely to have been a disappointment: Laschet and Scholz both emphasized that honestly, no statements can be made about it. “You can promise that lightly. The reality is different at the moment,” said CDU boss Laschet. He warned against excessive enlargement of the EU that would damage its functionality. After all, when a large country such as Ukraine is accepted, it must be ensured that the same legal norms apply in the east of the country as in Western Europe. The integration of the Western Balkan states now has priority. Laschet also rejected German arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Vice Chancellor Scholz emphasized that the EU must first reform itself. Ukraine’s NATO membership is currently not up for debate, said the SPD politician. Baerbock demanded that Germany should help with clearing mines in eastern Ukraine, for example. “It is clear to us that we have a responsibility to Ukraine,” she said.

The organizers had previously played a video message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj to the three candidates for chancellor. In it he emphasized that their positions were of great importance for his country. He called for real prospects for Ukraine to join the EU and NATO.

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