Developments in the relationship between the United States and the Russian Federation could also have consequences for Germany. While concerns about an unfair deal are high, some are secretly happy about the prospect of better relations with the Kremlin and Russian gas that could return to Germany, German publication BILD writes.
BILD has carried out an investigation into the possibility of a gas deal through the Nord Stream 2 pipeline between Washington and Moscow. According to the experts, a rapprochement between the White House and the Kremlin and a possible gas deal over Nord Stream 2 would bring Russian gas back to Germany, IPN reports.
"From a reliable source I know that the CDU (Christian Democratic Union Party, editor's note) is already looking for ways to Russia, namely to permanently acquire Russian gas, thus undermining what is very important for the Federal Republic, namely to become independent from Russia," Free Democratic Party defense expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann told German television station WELT TV, quoted by BILD.
On the other side, representatives of the Christian Democratic Union Party admit this scenario.
"When peace returns and the guns between Russia and Ukraine 'fall silent', relations will normalize, sanctions will be lifted and, of course, gas will be able to flow again - perhaps this time through a pipeline under US control," Thomas Bareiß, a representative of the Christian Democratic Union Party, wrote in a social media post.
"If one day a just and secure peace is established [with Ukraine, editor's note], then we should be able to talk about buying Russian gas again," Jan Heinisch, another CDU representative quoted by Politico.eu, said.
A precondition for Russian gas to flow into Germany is that in addition to the US, the European Union likewise should lift anti-Russian sanctions, the source notes.
"A lifting of sanctions by the European Union would be "a declaration of bankruptcy and unthinkable". In plain English: Germany would become dependent on Russia again, as it was with Nord Stream 1 - in 2021, about 40% of German gas imports came from Russia. "Nord Stream 2 would probably increase the dependency even further," said Simon Gerards, a Russia expert at the German Economic Institute.
Lifting sanctions would also be "a gift" for Russian Federation. Because of economic restrictions, the country suffers from extremely high inflation, dependence on China and complicated import routes, Gerards adds.
