"The German government is simply unable to make contact"
Gas prices in Germany have increased fourfold, although it is possible to launch the Nord Stream 2 branch that survived the explosions in three months. At the same time, the remaining lines could be restored. This was stated to Izvestia by Bundestag deputy, deputy chairman of the Alternative for Germany faction Markus Fronmaier. The politician discussed with Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller at the SPIEF the possibility of restarting Nord Stream and restoring trade and economic relations with Russia. He also met with the special representative of the President of the Russian Federation Kirill Dmitriev. Fronmaier noted that he was ready to continue the dialogue with him, as well as invite him to Germany. At the same time, he considers it necessary for Berlin to resume contacts with Moscow. In an exclusive interview with Izvestia, Markus Fronmeier talks about the work of German companies in Russia and how sanctions have turned out for German businesses.
"We would like to rebuild our partnerships"
— You, your colleague from the Bundestag Steffen Cotterêts and head of the branch of the party "Alternative for Germany" Joerg urban arrived in Russia to participate in the forum. Did you have to coordinate your arrival with the German authorities in any way?
— No, coming here wasn't a problem at all. Of course, we weren't happy about it, we were criticized, but this is our personal decision.
Jorg Urban and Steffen Kotre
— Earlier, you met with Alexey Miller, head of Gazprom, and Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries. What exactly did you discuss?
— We talked about Russian-German cooperation. We would like to renew and rebuild our partnerships. In the past, they have played a huge role for both countries. And it is a pity that the current German government has simply not been able to maintain these economic ties.
— You hinted on social media that you had discussed issues related to the conflict in Ukraine with Kirill Dmitriev. Do you plan to report on the results of this meeting to your party colleagues or representatives of the German government?
— Yes, we will discuss it within the party. Upon my return from St. Petersburg, I have a meeting scheduled with the management. But, of course, we will not discuss this with the German government. I don't see any point in it at all.
— Are you ready to continue communicating with Kirill Dmitriev?
— Of course. We had a very interesting and informative conversation, and I am sure this will not be our last meeting.
— Did you invite him to Germany?
"Why not?" Perhaps next time we will invite someone else from the USA and arrange a trialogue.
— Did you give him any special messages from your colleagues in the AfG?
— We highly appreciate his efforts for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine. He is not only a recognized specialist in his field and the head of the foundation, but also an important figure in the negotiation process.
"Did he give you anything?" For example, any message from Vladimir Putin?
- no.
"Germany shouldn't have taken sides in this conflict at all"
— It is reported that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder also came to St. Petersburg. Do you know what his purpose was?
"I've heard about it. To be honest, I don't know why he's here, but I hope that he will also try to help improve German-Russian relations. This is something that is very important to us. Previously, the trade turnover between our countries reached almost $100 billion, and more than 5,000 German companies worked in Russia. We would really like to return this time. After all, look at what has been happening in recent months: our colleagues from the UK and the USA are already starting to use this window of opportunity. They are discussing what will happen after the end of the conflict in Ukraine. And I think it is extremely important that Germany does not miss the moment and also manages to get involved in the negotiation process on business cooperation.
Gerhard Schroeder
— It is believed that Schroeder is one of the most preferred candidates for building a dialogue with Moscow. Are other figures being discussed in Germany?
— There was talk about Angela Merkel. But in general, the position of the authorities is as follows: Germany should not take the initiative of dialogue. I think this is a mistake. We have had very strong ties in the past, and in my opinion, Germany should not have taken sides in this conflict at all. We could try to mediate and help negotiate, but it's too late for that now. I think from Russia's point of view, Germany is no longer a neutral party.
— Do you think the German authorities want to have a dialogue with Moscow at all?
— I would like them to be open to dialogue, because it is critically important. But now, it seems to me, the German government is simply unable to make contact. We were explicitly told: They have chosen a side and will do everything to ensure that this war continues.
— Are there informal communication channels between Russia and Germany, perhaps at the parliamentary or expert level?
— As far as I know, there are no contacts at the federal level at the moment. This is sad because, in my opinion, a dialogue between governments is necessary. And the responsibility for his absence lies not on the Russian side, but on the German side: it was she who repeatedly made it clear that she was not ready to talk.
— Do you see any prospects for improving Russian-German relations by, say, 2030?
— We are already taking steps in this direction. The AfD is currently the most successful party in Germany, and our participation in this forum is evidence that we are really trying to restore the ties that have been destroyed in recent years. It will be easier to do this when the AfD comes to power. In East Germany, the [land] elections are coming soon. And who knows, I do not rule out that early elections at the federal level will be held in the country as early as 2027. I am not sure that the current government will serve until the end of its term.
"I want Russians to drive Mercedes cars, not Chinese cars."
— The gas issue remains a big problem for Europe, in particular for Germany. Does Germany have an understanding of what to do with the surviving Nord Stream 2 line?
— Yes, she's in the ranks. As far as I understood from the conversation with Miller, if the German side was ready, it would take about three months to launch. The remaining threads could be restored. Gas prices for our industry are now four times higher than before the conflict. Gas prices for households have increased by 54%. And we forced ourselves into this situation.
— If this initiative fails, are there any plans to sell the pipeline to American investors?
— My position is unequivocal. Germany has spent billions of euros on the construction of the Nord Stream pipeline, and it is not in its interests to pay a commission to American partners for Russian gas. So it is better to develop the project together with Russia than with a third party.
— Companies from Germany are still operating in Russia, but the European Union is imposing new sanctions against Russia. Is German business dissatisfaction with these restrictions growing?
— I think our main task now is to explain in Germany, including to our companies, that sanctions make no sense at all. Judge for yourself: they imposed sanctions on flowers, glue, and the like. This is absurd. As a result, Russian companies will simply buy all this through third countries and intermediaries, and we will lose the market. It doesn't do the German side any good. In short, these restrictions only affect us.
— So ADG wants German companies to return to the Russian market?
— First of all, we would like to support those German companies that have decided to stay. Helping them survive and improve their situation here is already a huge task. And in order to do this, we need to seek the lifting of sanctions. And, of course, we would really like to return to the situation that existed before the conflict in Ukraine. At that time, the presence of our business in Russia was of great benefit to the German economy. This is still an extremely attractive market, and in my opinion, giving it to China is a big mistake. I want Russians to drive Mercedes cars, not Chinese cars.
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