The new chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which is a part of the ruling coalition in Germany, Armin Laschet said that he considers Russia an enemy. In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, he shared his views on relations with Moscow.
According to him, his position in Russia is absolutely transparent. “Russia is an adversary in many respects, but there are still important topics for which we need it,” Laschet explained.
For example, it’s about efforts to implement the Paris climate agreement and conflict resolution. “It concerns many regions in the world where Russia is active. It is part of the Libya conference organized by the Chancellor and will participate in the implementation of the Iran agreement — together with the EU, the United States, and the UN,” added the successor of Chancellor Angela Merkel, who previously held the position of head of the CDU.
He called to find ways to cooperate with Moscow. At the same time, Laschet said it was necessary to point out Russia’s borders in an attempt to “influence the Baltic states and with regard to Polish friends.” “Our solidarity on the alliance is not negotiable,” he concluded.
Laschet, prime minister of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, became chairman of the CDU party on Jan. 16. Several candidates participated in the election campaign, including the former head of the parliamentary faction Friedrich Merz and the head of the Bundestag foreign policy committee Norbert Rettgen.
