Former SPD leader and former Minister President of Brandenburg, Matthias Platzeck, has defended his personal travels to Russia since the commencement of the war in Ukraine. Speaking to the “Tagesspiegel” newspaper on Saturday, Platzeck explained that the purpose of these visits, totaling nine since the war began according to reports from “Der Spiegel”, the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung” and the Russian opposition platform “The Insider”, was to maintain connections and foster dialogue.
Platzeck stated his motivations stemmed from broader concerns about the ongoing conflict and its implications for the future. He articulated a series of questions regarding potential pathways to resolving the war, the future global landscape, the feasibility of a solely security-focused approach towards Russia and the enduring relevance of engagement and approximation strategies. He emphasized the necessity of active diplomacy alongside defense capabilities and the importance of addressing arms control issues.
The former politician acknowledged possessing more questions than answers, arguing that a more nuanced and less accusatory public discourse on these complex issues would benefit societal cohesion.
While Platzeck has not disclosed specific details regarding the destinations of his trips or individuals with whom he met in Russia, he stressed that he acted as a private citizen, operating “without any mandate or official function”. He explicitly refuted speculation that his contacts may have involved discussions concerning the gas industry or the potential reactivation of the Nord Stream pipeline, stating that he had not discussed these topics with anyone in Russia or elsewhere. He asserted that his actions were not driven by any economic or personal gain.