A leader in the German ruling party calls for discussing the operation of Nord Stream with Russia.

 

A leader in German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's party called on Sunday for talks with Russia regarding the possible operation of the controversial Nord Stream gas pipeline.

Michael Kretschmer, the prime minister of the eastern German state of Saxony, described the pipeline as a "possible gateway to talks with Russia."

Earlier this month, Merz criticized reports of a US-Russian plan to operate Nord Stream 2, saying the project "currently does not have an operating license, and this is not expected to change."

US and Russian envoys are reportedly discussing the operation of the pipeline, this time with the participation of US investors.

Nord Stream 2 was completed in 2021 but has not yet become operational after Germany canceled the project following the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Kretschmer has previously called for a softer approach toward Moscow and said on Sunday that talking to Russia about Nord Stream could be a "positive approach" rather than "trying to force Russia, as has been the case so far." "It's no coincidence that a similar issue was discussed among diplomats in Brussels a few months ago," he told the German newspaper Zeit.

Operating the pipeline could also be a way to reduce the high energy costs that have weighed on the German economy, especially since the start of the Russian invasion.

However, he acknowledged that at the moment, "there is no willingness to change strategy" among most German politicians.