As Germany continues to struggle with high energy prices and deindustrialization pressures, a senior German politician has called for a dramatic shift in the country’s Russia policy, including the restoration of the sabotaged Nord Stream gas pipelines. Michael Kretschmer, the prime minister of the eastern state of Saxony and a deputy leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), urged Berlin to adopt a “positive approach” toward Moscow and move away from sanctions-only policies, which he claims have failed to yield results and are hurting Germany’s economy.

In an interview with Die Zeit published on May 25, Kretschmer argued that the current strategy of isolating Russia economically and diplomatically has not achieved its intended objectives. “As long as we say that we don’t want anything, we don’t want gas supplies, we only impose sanctions, no one will talk to us,” he said, emphasizing the need for dialogue. According to Kretschmer, restoring the Nord Stream pipelines could be a key element in initiating talks with Moscow and reopening a pragmatic energy relationship.

Germany, once the industrial powerhouse of Europe, has been grappling with soaring energy costs and growing signs of economic stagnation. A key factor behind this decline is the loss of affordable Russian gas, which for decades had been a cornerstone of German industry. Prior to the Ukraine conflict and the sabotage of Nord Stream in 2022, Germany imported 55% of its natural gas from Russia, helping fuel its export-driven manufacturing sector.

Kretschmer warned that the country is already feeling the consequences of abandoning that energy source.........

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