For the Prime Minister of Saxony, Germany's dependence on raw materials from Russia is a fact that has to be faced.

Social peace will only be maintained if sufficient gas flows from Russia in the coming years, said Michael Kretschmer (CDU) on Tuesday in Dresden.

Stephen Locke

Correspondent for Saxony and Thuringia based in Dresden.

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This goal must also determine Germany's attitude towards the Russian war in the Ukraine.

"We now need negotiations as soon as possible, the war must be frozen," said Kretschmer.

That means neither defeat nor peace, but it could give Germany and Europe time to strengthen their defense capabilities, which have been criminally neglected for decades, and become energetically independent of Russia.

Germany, France and the United States should play a mediating role.

He is aware that he is representing a minority position, said the Prime Minister.

But he feels the public discussion is "very one-sided" in view of the enormous burdens that the war entails not only for Germany but also for the world.

He understands many public announcements that on the one hand the war must be won by Ukraine and on the other that Germany must never again obtain raw materials from Russia.

"We won't gain anything with this."

Asked how he envisaged negotiations in the face of repeated Russian refusals to hold talks, Kretschmer said it was necessary to both influence Russia and convince Ukraine.

"It will be bitter for Ukraine to go this route, but what is the alternative?" escalated".

Kretschmer had previously criticized the fact that a generation of politicians was at work today who had not experienced war and economic decline themselves, and that "the courage of the ignorant" could therefore be heard in many statements.

It is not helpful to take positions with great absoluteness on the subject of Russia without being clear about the consequences.

Even after this war, Russia will remain a neighboring state with which Germany and Europe will have to find a relationship.

According to Kretschmer, his demands do not negate Russia's responsibility for this war.

NATO is not to blame for this, and Ukraine deserves all solidarity and support.

In addition, Kretschmer has asked the federal government to set up a protective shield for municipal energy suppliers.

Otherwise, many cities and communities would "get into huge difficulties with dramatic consequences for social peace," Kretschmer warned.

Small energy suppliers in particular need guarantees and exemptions from liability, an extended obligation to file for insolvency and clear provisions as to who will be cut off from the supply first in the event of a gas shortage.

One cannot expect small municipal utilities to negotiate this independently with large corporations.

"I am seriously shocked and very concerned about what is to come," says the CDU politician.

He sees Germany as an industrial country in danger if energy prices continue to soar.

“The high prices are a creeping poison for our economy.