SPD Member Ralf Stegner criticizes German-Russian relations, justifies unofficial meetings with Putin loyalists
SPD Member Ralf Stegner has criticized the German-Russian relationship and justified his unofficial meetings with Putin loyalists. In an interview with the “Spiegel” Stegner said, “We have a form of communication that is dangerously close to an ultimatum.” He added, “In a time when all ties to Russia are breaking, I believe that every contact is meaningful.”
Stegner and other high-ranking politicians, such as former Brandenburg Minister President Matthias Platzeck (SPD) and former Chancellor’s Chief Ronald Pofalla (CDU), participated in several meetings with Russian representatives in Azerbaijan. Stegner defended the conversations in Baku as efforts to listen to each other. “I warn against narrowing discussions to the point where certain people are no longer allowed to talk” he said.
As an MP, Stegner is a member of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee and has access to classified information. Several members of parliament were outraged at the unannounced trip to Baku. However, Stegner denies criticism of Kremlin influence. He paid for the trip himself, did not share any confidential information and sees no reason to disclose an unofficial trip. At the same time, he always strongly criticized the Russian attack on Ukraine during the conversations.
The Green Party’s Bundestag member Anton Hofreiter was shocked by the meeting with Russian representatives. “The meeting by Stegner and others in Azerbaijan is a significant security risk for Germany and Europe” Hofreiter said in an interview with the Funke Media Group.
Hofreiter added that conversations with autocrats could be important and meaningful and they are always part of conflict resolution. “But this approach with high-ranking Kremlin representatives shows only naivety and a blind hope of returning to cheap oil and gas from Russia. This is a massive security risk for Germany and our European partners” he criticized.
Instead, he called for strong negotiations with Putin at the highest level and demanded consequences for Stegner: “With his behavior, Stegner disqualifies himself from being a member of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee, where he has access to the most confidential information.” He appealed to the leaders of the CDU and SPD, asking them to immediately stop these meetings and hold the participants accountable.
The vice-chairman of the Intelligence Oversight Committee, Roderich Kiesewetter (CDU), criticized Stegner as well. “The PKGr warns intensively against Russia’s hybrid influence against Germany and especially relevant multipliers and decision-makers” Kiesewetter said in an interview with the “Tagesspiegel.” “Therefore, Stegner will have to answer some questions.”
Stegner responded to the joint report by the ARD magazine “Kontraste” and the weekly newspaper “Die Zeit” that in mid-April, it was a private trip to the Azerbaijani capital Baku. “Such meetings are not private and contradict Germany’s foreign and security policy strategy” Kiesewetter countered. “This gives Russia an entry point for manipulation and influence.