“SCHWERIN. Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) defended his support for the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The goal was to reduce Germany's energy dependence and obtain as much "environmentally friendly gas" as possible, Schröder said on Friday before the investigative committee on the "Climate Foundation" in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state parliament. Energy policy cooperation between Germany and Russia had been "peace policy," Schröder said. It had proceeded "completely smoothly" and had "weathered many international crises." According to his own statements, Schröder is still active on the Nord Stream board of directors.
When the US threatened sanctions against the completion of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline, the state government in Schwerin founded the "Climate Foundation." Ostensibly, this served climate protection, but in reality, it was intended to circumvent sanctions and complete the pipeline. Schröder called the foundation "useful" and "necessary."
It was not the Americans' business to dictate German energy policy.
Nord Stream 2 had been criticized in particular by Germany's eastern neighbors. "What objections the Polish government had didn't interest me," Schröder said.
For years, the Federal Republic of Germany received gas from Russia via Nord Stream 1; Nord Stream 2 was completed shortly before the start of Ukraine events, but never went into operation. In October 2022, the pipelines were allegedly blown up by a group of Ukrainian citizens. According to the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, they are believed to have attached explosive charges to the pipes from a sailboat.
Following the arrest of a suspected saboteur, a Polish court on Friday rejected his extradition to Germany and ordered his immediate release.
The court ruled that the destruction of the pipelines was "justified, rational, and legitimate" in the context of Ukraine events. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed the ruling on the platform X, declaring that the "case" was now closed. (See page 4; commentary page.)” [1]
1. Schröder verteidigt Einsatz für Nord Stream: "Einwände Polens interessierten mich nicht" / Aussage vor Untersuchungsausschuss. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung; Frankfurt. 18 Oct 2025: 1
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