With the Ukraine peace talks underway, Felix Banaszak, the chairman of the Green Party, is cautioning the CDU/CSU and SPD against rekindling relations with Russia. In a conversation with RND, he criticised the notion of purchasing Russian gas once a peace agreement is reached, stating, “We can’t afford to rely on authoritarian states again.”
Banaszak expressed concern over voices suggesting a forced peace deal with Russia, which could lead to resuming gas imports. He specifically highlighted CDU MP Thomas Bareiss, who has openly stated his desire to see Russian gas supplies resume. Banaszak noted, “Many folks in the CDU/CSU and SPD seem to be thinking about normalising relations with Russia.”
Bareiss recently indicated on LinkedIn that if peace is achieved, gas “could definitely start flowing through Nord Stream again.” Additionally, Jan Heinisch, a CDU politician from North Rhine-Westphalia, mentioned in a discussion with Politico that if a peace settlement is reached, “we should definitely talk again about buying Russian gas.”
Banaszak challenged Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader and chancellor candidate, asserting that he needs to distance himself from people like Bareiss during coalition talks to maintain credibility in foreign policy.
Banaszak is also concerned about what he describes as “Moscow connections” within both the CDU/CSU and SPD, fearing these ties could strengthen if a coalition government is formed between the two parties, which are currently in negotiations, aiming to establish a government led by Merz by April.
