Danish journalist and expert on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines Jens Hovsgaard, in his book Gier, Gas und Geld (Greed, Gas and Money), describes the network of connections behind the German-Russian energy project. Asked by Die Welt whether Germany is responsible for the war, he replies: “I would even say that Germany paved the way for Putin to Ukraine.”
According to the journalist, “one example is enough: Gerhard Schroeder, being a former chancellor, used his office in the Bundestag to organize meetings on Nord Stream 2 there.” “It would not be possible in any country in the world,” Jens Hovsgaard said in an interview with Die Welt on Friday.
– As for Nord Stream 2, everything was decided by just three people. Former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Vladimir Putin and Matthias Warnig. A former Stasi agent whom Putin personally – as former Daimler manager and Russian lobbyist Klaus Mangold once said – put in charge of Nord Stream 2 AG. The three men came up with a plan to complete the pipeline despite strong opposition in Europe, the author of the book emphasizes. “Gir, Gas and Geld”.
— After 2014, high-ranking representatives of the German government met with Russian counterparts about the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Of course, there were always representatives of companies at the meetings who wanted to benefit from a good relationship, Hovsgaard said in an interview. – Not only energy companies, but also industry and banks. Ukraine just got in the way there. But it was clearly visible: those who support Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 are paying for Putin’s war machine,” the journalist added.
“Putin, Schroeder and Steinmeier sat there together”
When asked about the role of the current German president, Jens Hovsgaard emphasizes that “Steinmeier was the decisive person after Schröder’s departure from politics.” – He was the most important bridge to politics for Putin, Schroeder and Warnig. Steinmeier, Schroeder and Putin continued to meet and develop their friendship. In 2010, for example, in Berlin, in the restaurant of Warnig’s son. Putin, Schroeder and Steinmeier sat together. On the eve of Putin’s state visit to Chancellor Angela Merkel, Jens Hovsgaard explained.
Asked if Germany violated this policy after 24 February, Hovsgaard replied that the “tipping point” claim was correct. “However, actions taken since then raise doubts as to whether Olaf Scholz has broken with his rapprochement with Russia,” the observer added.