German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced stricter sanctions against Russia. “We are in agreement among the heads of state and government that we must now exhaust all possibilities. We are discussing further sanctions in the energy sector, the banking sector, as well as further steps regarding assets and sanctions against individual persons” said Merz in an interview with the weekly newspaper “Die Zeit”.
The Chancellor also stated that they are currently examining the possibility of seizing frozen Russian assets. “If there is a way to mobilize the money on a clean legal basis, we will do it.” In the past, such a step had also failed due to German concerns.
In response to a question about whether it would be excluded for his government to approve the restart of the Baltic Sea gas pipeline Nordstream 2, Merz said: “Nordstream 2 currently does not have an operating license and that should not change.”
Following a Swiss court decision on Friday that Nordstream 2 will not go into bankruptcy, the pipeline could potentially operate if the Federal Network Agency grants permission. The basis for this would be the so-called Supply Report from the Federal Ministry of Economics and a statement from the EU.
Merz also criticized remarks by US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference, stating that Germany is on the path to becoming a dictatorship. “Such statements must be firmly rejected” said the Chancellor. “We do not need a refresher course on democracy. That’s why many people, including myself, considered Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference to be intrusive.”