Peter Altmaier on Russia: Maintaining communication is more effective than sanctions

(Patria) – German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier questioned the effectiveness of imposing sanctions on countries like Russia, while the debate in his country continues regarding the suspension of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project due to the poisoning case of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.   

Altmaier, speaking on ARD television, condemned the poisoning of Navalny, calling it a 'cowardly assassination attempt on a Russian citizen in Russia' whose circumstances must be clarified.

While he did not want to rule out the possibility of imposing sanctions in the future, Altmaier emphasized that he believes maintaining communication is much more effective in most cases.

- We need to clarify what we are trying to achieve by imposing sanctions. Is it just looking in the mirror, or is it something positive in terms of human rights, asked the German Economy Minister, adding that sanctions most often lead to 'complicating politics'.

'I am not aware of any case where sanctions have led to a change in behavior,' the minister concluded.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is under increasing pressure from members of her conservative party to halt work on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a major project that is expected to double Russian gas exports to Germany once completed in early 2021.

The Chancellor's spokesperson stated on Monday that Merkel has not ruled out the option of imposing sanctions.  

However, Michael Harms, head of the German Eastern Business Association, commented to Deutschlandfunk radio that it would be legally impossible to stop the project, which has already reached 90% completion.

- I think it would be legally almost impossible. All permits have been issued, contracts cannot be changed – not only in Germany but also in five other countries, Harms explained.