The debate within Germany’s conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has escalated sharply following remarks by Saxony’s Minister-President Michael Kretschmer, who recently suggested a potential revisiting of energy supplies from Russia. The suggestion drew immediate and scathing criticism from fellow CDU politician Roderich Kiesewetter, highlighting a deepening ideological rift within the party regarding strategy toward Moscow.
Speaking to “Handelsblatt”, Kiesewetter characterized Kretschmer’s musings as “absurd” given Russia’s ongoing and relentless bombardment of Ukrainian civilian housing and critical energy infrastructure. He labelled the statements “counterproductive and a security policy absurdity” underlining the fundamental disconnect between a recalibrated energy approach and the current realities of the conflict.
Kiesewetter emphasized that Germany’s paramount interest should lie in ensuring a Ukrainian victory, restoring its 1991 borders and significantly pushing back Russian influence. He pointed to the imperative of dismantling Russia’s imperial ambitions and the ideological underpinning of “Russkiy Mir” a concept promoting a perceived Russian sphere of cultural and political dominance. He warned against repeating past errors or engaging in what he termed “smokescreens” arguing that such tactics would be detrimental to long-term security.
“The greatest danger to Europe is Russia” Kiesewetter asserted, adding a stark warning about the consequences of insufficient military support for Ukraine. He argued that a more decisive, substantial and faster commitment to Ukrainian defense is vital for safeguarding Germany’s security and deterring further Russian aggression, implicitly criticizing perceived hesitations in Berlin’s current policy framework. The internal CDU disagreement underscores the continuing struggle within German political circles to define a coherent and effective strategy toward an increasingly assertive and belligerent Russia.