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08-05-2022, 12:21 PM
https://www.dw.com/en/gerhard-schr%C3%B6...a-61611841
Gerhard Schröder comes under increasing pressure over Putin ties
Gerhard Schröder is facing growing criticism in Germany for his ongoing support of Russia, as some politicians call for sanctions against him. He recently gave an inflammatory interview in which he defended his role.
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schöder is coming under increasing pressure in Germany over his relations with Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing Ukraine invasion.
Having already being asked to resign from the party he once led, the Social Democrats, German politicians are now threatening further action, even suggesting he could become a target of Western sanctions targeting Russia and its allies.
Schröder led Germany from 1998 to 2005, and since leaving office, he has worked for Russian state energy firm Rosneft and the Nord Stream projects. He has also been nominated for the supervisory board of the Russian gas giant Gazprom, which on Wednesday switched off gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria.
What did Schröder say?
In an interview with the New York Times published last week, Schröder defended his close relationship with Russia and Putin. In the interview, Schröder questioned the Russian president's potential involvement in or prior knowledge of the massacre in Ukraine's Bucha, refused to resign from the energy firms unless Russia fully stopped gas exports, and spoke fondly of Putin.
"I don't do mea culpa," Schröder told the outlet. "It's not my thing."
Speaking on the war, Schröder said it was a "mistake." "What we have to do now is to create peace as quickly as possible." But he said there were obstacles to negotiations.
"What I can tell you is that Putin is interested in ending the war," Schröder said. "But that's not so easy. There are a few points that need to be clarified."
On the atrocities in Bucha, Schröder defended Putin, saying he doubted that the president would have ordered the killings himself, but said it should be investigated.
He baulked at the idea of distancing himself from Putin, saying it would lose him the trust of the only person who can stop the war.
Schröder attempted once to mediate in talks between the two countries but walked away unsuccessful after one attempt. He claims he is ready to try again.
Speaking on gas, he said his support of Russian gas exports to Europe was in line with the common political position of Germany. Schröder said Russia had always been a reliable partner when it came to delivering gas to Germany and Europe. "They got the money and they delivered the gas," Schröder told the publication. "Even in the toughest times of the Cold War, there were never any problems."
"You can't isolate a country like Russia in the long run, neither politically nor economically," he said. "German industry needs the raw materials that Russia has. It's not just oil and gas, it's also rare earths. And these are raw materials that cannot simply be substituted."
"When this war is over," Schröder said, "we will have to go back to dealing with Russia. We always do."
Gerhard Schröder comes under increasing pressure over Putin ties
Gerhard Schröder is facing growing criticism in Germany for his ongoing support of Russia, as some politicians call for sanctions against him. He recently gave an inflammatory interview in which he defended his role.
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schöder is coming under increasing pressure in Germany over his relations with Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing Ukraine invasion.
Having already being asked to resign from the party he once led, the Social Democrats, German politicians are now threatening further action, even suggesting he could become a target of Western sanctions targeting Russia and its allies.
Schröder led Germany from 1998 to 2005, and since leaving office, he has worked for Russian state energy firm Rosneft and the Nord Stream projects. He has also been nominated for the supervisory board of the Russian gas giant Gazprom, which on Wednesday switched off gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria.
What did Schröder say?
In an interview with the New York Times published last week, Schröder defended his close relationship with Russia and Putin. In the interview, Schröder questioned the Russian president's potential involvement in or prior knowledge of the massacre in Ukraine's Bucha, refused to resign from the energy firms unless Russia fully stopped gas exports, and spoke fondly of Putin.
"I don't do mea culpa," Schröder told the outlet. "It's not my thing."
Speaking on the war, Schröder said it was a "mistake." "What we have to do now is to create peace as quickly as possible." But he said there were obstacles to negotiations.
"What I can tell you is that Putin is interested in ending the war," Schröder said. "But that's not so easy. There are a few points that need to be clarified."
On the atrocities in Bucha, Schröder defended Putin, saying he doubted that the president would have ordered the killings himself, but said it should be investigated.
He baulked at the idea of distancing himself from Putin, saying it would lose him the trust of the only person who can stop the war.
Schröder attempted once to mediate in talks between the two countries but walked away unsuccessful after one attempt. He claims he is ready to try again.
Speaking on gas, he said his support of Russian gas exports to Europe was in line with the common political position of Germany. Schröder said Russia had always been a reliable partner when it came to delivering gas to Germany and Europe. "They got the money and they delivered the gas," Schröder told the publication. "Even in the toughest times of the Cold War, there were never any problems."
"You can't isolate a country like Russia in the long run, neither politically nor economically," he said. "German industry needs the raw materials that Russia has. It's not just oil and gas, it's also rare earths. And these are raw materials that cannot simply be substituted."
"When this war is over," Schröder said, "we will have to go back to dealing with Russia. We always do."
