Politicians from Germany's CDU are igniting a heated debate as they explore the possibility of importing gas from Russia again, a topic that has become increasingly controversial in the context of ongoing tensions following the war in Ukraine. This burgeoning discussion within the CDU comes as Germany faces complex energy challenges, grappling with its independence from Russian fossil fuels.
On March 22, 2025, CDU-Bundestagsabgeordneter Thomas Bareiß made headlines by suggesting that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline could potentially be repaired and brought back to operational status once peace is restored in Ukraine. Bareiß expressed his opinion on LinkedIn in response to a Handelsblatt report that speculated about the future of the pipeline under a possible US-Russian agreement to end the conflict. He stated, "If peace returns, relationships normalize, and embargoes are rolled back, then gas can flow again, perhaps in a pipeline under US control." This assertion has stirred significant criticism as well as some support within political circles.
Ricarda Lang, a prominent figure from the Grünen party, responded vehemently on social media, accusing Bareiß of pushing towards a return to dependence on Russian gas. She remarked, "Will back to Russian gas. Negotiates for the CDU the coalition agreement. A Moscow connection also exists in the Union." Her words reflect deep concern among environmental and political advocates, who argue that any move toward Russian energy imports would undermine Germany's hard-earned independence from fossil fuels originating from Russia.
Support for the potential resumption of Russian gas imports is also found within the CDU, specifically from Jan Heinisch, who serves as the vice-chair of the CDU faction in the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament. He echoed Bareiß’s sentiment, stating, "If a just and secure peace is found, then we have to be allowed to discuss the purchase of Russian gas again." Heinisch’s involvement in coalition negotiations adds weight to the discussions, as he represents a visible faction within the CDU that appears sympathetic to the notion of reintegrating Russian gas into Germany's energy mix.
Criticism from within the political landscape, however, continues to mount with figures like Konstantin von Notz from the Grünen admonishing CDU leader Friedrich Merz to distance himself from politicians who engage in such discussions. Von Notz emphasized to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur, “If he wants to be credible, he must immediately remove those who have expressed themselves accordingly from the respective coalition negotiation teams.” This internal critique highlights the urgency felt by various parties regarding the long-term implications of resuming energy ties with Russia.
The backdrop for these debates is the halted Nord Stream 2 project, which was initially designed to transport gas from Russia to Germany beneath the Baltic Sea. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the German government, known as the Ampel-Koalition, suspended the project, citing national security concerns. The ongoing debates over the pipeline’s future have become focal points of contention, with previous operational plans now overshadowed by the geopolitical climate.
On the criticism front, Anton Hofreiter, a member of the Grünen, condemned Bareiß’s proposals as "scandalous," arguing that reigniting dependence on Russian gas would only enhance Russia’s military capabilities. He asserted, "It is not an option to become dependent on autocratic Russia again, as it would supply Russia with huge amounts of money to continue to rearm." Such sentiments express a widespread anxiety within many German political factions regarding reinforcement of Russian economic power through energy dependence.
In a similar vein, Ruprecht Polenz, a former CDU Bundestag member, characterized the idea of reopening the Nord Stream pipeline as a "completely wrong signal," advocating for a coalition agreement that clearly states the commissioning of the Nord Stream pipelines should be excluded entirely. He urged his party leadership to clarify that such actions are out of the question, reflecting concerns that any backtracking on energy independence could send mixed messages domestically and internationally.
Meanwhile, voices from within the SPD echoed similar concerns. Manuela Schwesig, the Minister President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, criticized the CDU’s oscillating stance concerning the war and energy imports. She noted, "There is a clear rule in Germany that Nord Stream 2 will not be certified if Russia crosses a red line." She fully supports this stance in light of Russia's actions over the past year, categorizing them as a severe breach requiring a sustained commitment to independence from Russian energy.
Despite the backlash, some within the CDU remain adamant about considering a reevaluation of trade relations with Russia post-conflict. Dietmar Woidke, the Brandenburg Minister President, argued for normalizing trade relations, including raw material deliveries. Woidke stressed the importance of economic relations in rehabilitating ties between Europe and Russia, suggesting that such engagement would benefit both parties in the long run.
As speculation continues about the future of Germany’s energy plans and the potential resumption of Russian gas imports, the Bundeswirtschaftsministerium (Federal Ministry of Economics) summarized its position succinctly, stating that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline remains uncertified and legally unauthorized for operation. This position indicates that for the current government, discussions surrounding the usage of the pipeline are not viable while ongoing tensions persist.
In summary, the CDU's internal discussions about potentially resuming gas imports from Russia have ignited a fierce debate enveloping various political factions across Germany. As coalition negotiations continue, the implications these discussions hold for future energy independence and international relations remain pivotal.
