Status: 02/28/2022 11:40 a.m
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania wants to have the controversial foundation for the construction of Nord Stream 2 dissolved – this was announced by Prime Minister Schwesig. At the same time, she defended herself against accusations that the state government “understands Putin”.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig has announced that the state foundation set up for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is to be dissolved. “I have asked the board of the foundation to let the work of the foundation rest and to initiate a dissolution of the foundation within the narrow legal possibilities,” wrote the SPD politician on Twitter. It should also be checked “whether it is legally possible to use the foundation funds provided by Nord Stream for humanitarian purposes”.
“Never had a conversation with Putin”
Schwesig complained that “repeated attempts were made to discredit the state government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as a ‘Putin friend’ or ‘Putin understander'”. It was “nonsense,” she wrote. “I have never had a conversation with President Putin o supported his actions against Ukraine.” It is the state government’s first demand that Putin immediately stop the war and withdraw from Ukraine.
But she thinks it is right not to burn all bridges to Russia. “I know that many citizens want peaceful coexistence with all our neighbors in the Baltic Sea region. Also with Russia.” However, there is no justification for a war of aggression.
Criticism of Schwesig and Foundation
In the past, Schwesig had repeatedly campaigned vehemently for the completion and rapid commissioning of the gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea. She was repeatedly criticized for this.
To support the construction of the pipeline, a highly controversial state foundation was set up, which was mainly financed by the Russian state-owned company Gazprom. The MV Climate and Environmental Protection Foundation was accused of concealing its exact activities and having Russian backers.
In recent years, the country has focused on dialogue and exchange with Russia in business, science, culture and between young people from both countries, Schwesig wrote. “The current development is all the more painful for us.” With the invasion of Ukraine, cooperation at the regional level became impossible. “We have therefore put the partnership with the Leningrad Oblast on hold.” All other activities of the state government towards Russia would also be stopped.
In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the German government had put the approval process for Nord Stream 2 on hold. The pipeline is intended to carry Russian natural gas through the Baltic Sea.