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Scholz admits Germany’s reliance on Russian energy was a strategic error
Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz publicly acknowledged that Germany's prolonged dependence on Russian energy supplies constituted a significant mistake. During a parliamentary inquiry held in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Scholz revealed he had advocated for the expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure to reduce Germany’s reliance on Russian pipelines, a stance that contrasted with Germany’s prior energy policy. He expressed bafflement as to why Germany had not developed LNG terminals earlier, unlike other European nations such as Belgium.
The inquiry examines the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which was intended to transport natural gas from Russia to Germany but never became operational due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Germany’s suspension of its certification under Scholz’s chancellorship in early 2022.
The investigation also explores potential Russian influence through a foundation created by the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state government and financed partly by Russia’s Gazprom-backed Nord Stream 2 AG. Scholz stated that although he was informed about the foundation’s formation, the federal government had minimal involvement. Notably, he acknowledged sending a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin seeking to avoid sanctions, even proposing a substantial German investment in LNG infrastructure in exchange.
This testimony follows varied perspectives from other key political figures: former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder defended the pipeline as vital for affordable energy, while former Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel admitted that failing to understand Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions was one of the gravest misjudgments in German foreign policy.
The inquiry aims to clarify these issues ahead of upcoming state elections and to draw lessons from Germany’s energy policy miscalculations.