Merkel in Kiev: “Nord Stream 2 is not a political weapon”

The dispute over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and the smoldering Ukraine conflict – the Chancellor and Ukrainian President Zelenskyj had difficult discussions. Merkel tried to allay fears and called for new peace negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj received Chancellor Angela Merkel for talks in Kiev. It was also about the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline: Ukraine fears a loss of importance as a transit country – and the loss of transit fees – as soon as Russian gas is directed westwards through the Baltic Sea. The country lost billions of dollars in revenue that it actually depends on.

Hydrogen instead of gas?

Zelensky called the pipeline a “dangerous geopolitical weapon of the Kremlin”. Merkel, on the other hand, made it clear that an agreement with the US government provides for gas transit through Ukraine to be contractually secured in the medium term. She called on the Russian government to renew an existing transit contract for the transportation of Russian gas through Ukraine, which expires in 2024. “The faster that happens, the better,” said the Chancellor.

Merkel also made it clear that Germany wanted to support Ukraine in future use of the transmission network. The lines could be used to transport hydrogen, for example. A “hydrogen partnership” with Ukraine is under discussion.

“Not a satisfactory balance sheet”

The second important topic was the conflict in Ukraine. In this context, the Chancellor spoke out in favor of a new Ukraine summit. In addition to Germany and Ukraine, Russia and France should also come to the negotiating table. “That would bring us progress, in my opinion,” said Merkel. Germany and France have been mediating in the conflict for several years. It is true that the current peace plan has brought calm; however, this calm is not permanent and also not sustainable. Merkel called this balance “unsatisfactory”.

Ukraine wants more pressure on Russia

Zelenskyi called for further pressure on Russia to pacify the region and thanked Merkel for her support. “We are grateful to the German side for the tough position and the support of our sovereignty,” said the Ukrainian President. At the same time called for the implementation of the resolutions of the Ukraine summit of December 2019 in Paris.

There was actually supposed to be a follow-up summit in Berlin last year – but this meeting has not yet taken place. Merkel now said that she and Selenskyj were ready to do so. At the same time, she praised Ukraine for its reform efforts. For more than seven years, Ukrainian government troops have been fighting against Russian-backed separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk areas along the Russian border. According to UN estimates, more than 13,000 people have been killed since then. A peace plan is on hold.