The Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) spoke out in favor of resuming Russian gas supplies after the war.

“We need long-term contracts for liquid gas supplies from the USA, Qatar and other Arab countries. We also have to finally develop our own natural gas in the North Sea. And when the war is over, we should use gas from Russia again,” he told the “Bild On Sunday.” When asked if he expects the damaged Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to be repaired, he said: “We will need pipeline gas, and that can only be done with functioning pipelines.”

Referring to the war in Ukraine, Kretschmer said: “A joint diplomatic effort is now needed by the EU, the USA, China, India and Japan. This war must be stopped.” According to Kretschmer, such negotiations would not automatically result in Ukraine having to relinquish parts of its national territory. “There is not a single reason why Ukraine should give up even one square meter of its territory. War damage must be compensated by Russia, war criminals must be held accountable. You have to approach peace talks with this attitude,” said Kretschmer.