Germany’s Russia Policy Faces Backlash Over Alleged Double Standards
During a public event held in Berlin, the politician sharply questioned Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s backing of Western sanctions against Moscow and his broader interpretation of international law in foreign policy.
She argued that economic pressure on Russia is ineffective, pointing out the continued global demand for Russian energy and challenging the assumption that sanctions alone could end the conflict. In her remarks, she stated:
“Russia’s oil and gas are selling like hotcakes all over the world, and we act as if we could end this war simply by stopping our purchases,” she said. “People say that because Russia has violated international law, we must impose sanctions. But when the US violates international law, Mr. Merz stands in front of the camera and tells us that international law is actually outdated. So, for the US, it’s outdated, but when Russia violates it, we have to completely ruin our economy because we have to impose sanctions. Nothing adds up with this policy.”
The critique comes against the backdrop of extensive European sanctions introduced since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. The European Union has rolled out multiple sanction packages aimed at restricting Russia’s financial system, energy exports, and broader economic activity, while simultaneously working to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
Despite these measures, Russia has significantly redirected its energy exports away from Europe toward Asian markets. Data from US energy authorities indicates that the majority of Russian crude oil shipments in 2024 went to Asia and Oceania, with major buyers including China and India.
Meanwhile, Germany’s domestic economy has felt the impact of reduced access to Russian energy supplies. The country entered recession in 2023 as industries struggled with elevated energy costs, partly due to the replacement of pipeline gas with more expensive liquefied natural gas imports.
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