The former Chancellor of Germany gave an interview to the NYT, in which he expressed his opinion about the separation of Moscow and announced when he would step down as head of Rosneft’s board of directors.
Former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder believes Russia’s international isolation cannot be sustained for long. Schroeder expressed this opinion in an interview with The New York Times, published by the publication on Saturday, April 23rd.
“In the long run, it is impossible to isolate a country like Russia, either politically or economically,” he said.
“German industry needs the raw materials that Russia has. We are talking not only about oil and gas, but also on rare earths (elements. – Ed.). It is a raw material that simply cannot be replaced, ”Schroeder is sure. The peace and prosperity of Germany and Europe have always depended on talks with the Russian Federation, he believes.
On the conditions for leaving the post in Rosneft
In an interview with the NYT, Gerhard Schroeder also said under what circumstances he would step down as chairman of the board of directors of Russian oil and gas company Rosneft. According to the former head of the German Cabinet, this will happen if Moscow stops oil and gas supplies to Europe.
“That’s not going to happen,” Schroeder said. However, in this scenario, “I will retire,” he stressed.
“When this war is over (in Ukraine. – Ed.), We need to return to relations with Russia. We always do this,” the source added.
Schroeder’s interview was the first since Feb. 24, when Russia launched a full -scale war on Ukraine.
Schroeder is “completely isolated” from the SPD range
The leadership of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) had earlier sent a letter to the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, in which he requested that he resign as soon as possible from all positions he held in state-owned companies. Russia. . This was announced on March 3 by the party’s co-chairman Lars Klingbeil.
“From the perspective of the Social Democrats, it is unacceptable that he continues to hold positions on Russia’s state concerns,” Klingbeil stressed after the party board meeting. According to him, Schroeder is “completely isolated” among the SPD, with no one in the party leadership who “at least partially approves or justifies” the ex-chancellor’s actions.
Appointed to Gazprom Board of Directors
The former Chancellor of Germany has chaired the supervisory board of directors of state oil company Rosneft since 2017. In addition, he is Chairman of the Shareholders ’Committee of Nord Stream AG, operator of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, and holding similar position at Nord Stream 2 AG, operator of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
In early February, it was learned that Gerhard Schroeder had been appointed to the board of directors of Russia’s state concern Gazprom.
Subsequently, the Union of German Taxpayers (Steuerzahlerbund) and representatives of the Bundestag called on the politician to relinquish the office and employees in Berlin, which were given for life to former heads of the German government at the expense of taxpayers. .
Criticism for being close to Putin
Gerhard Schroeder has long been criticized for his closeness to the Kremlin and is considered a longtime friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin. After the start of the war in Ukraine, pressure intensified on the former chancellor, he had to distance himself from Putin.
On the day of the full -scale invasion of the Russian Federation – February 24 – the former Chancellor publicly called on Moscow to end the war and “the suffering of the people of Ukraine associated with it” as soon as possible.
“This is the responsibility of the Russian government,” the former head of the German government wrote on the social network LinkedIn, adding that Russia’s security interests do not justify the use of military means.
The SPD co-chairman denied friendship with Gerhard Schroeder
Lars Klingbeil, who used to be close to the former Chancellor of Germany, said the friendship is now over. “What has happened over the past few weeks means, of course, a political break between me and Schroeder,” Klingbeil insisted.
At the Free Democratic Party congress on April 23, together with the SPD and the Union-90 / Greens, which are part of the ruling coalition, it was decided to turn to the German Cabinet with a request to reduce state funding for the ex-chancellor-related in his “active support for the Kremlin.”
Source: korrespondent
