Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder defended the construction of the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 during a parliamentary committee session in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on October 17, 2025. Schroeder emphasized that Russia could supply inexpensive natural gas through the pipeline, arguing that the initiative was economically beneficial. He and his allies rejected claims that the two Nord Stream pipelines significantly increased Germany’s and some EU countries’ energy dependence on Putin’s authoritarian regime. Schröder appeared as both a former head of government and a former chairman of the Nord Stream 2 board of directors, positions that have long fueled controversy over his ties to Moscow. His continued influence divides German politics: many Social Democrats blame his labor reforms for alienating voters, while conservatives credit him with implementing difficult but necessary economic changes.
Inquiry Into the “Climate Protection Fund”
The committee is investigating the Climate Protection Fund, created in early 2021 to facilitate Nord Stream 2’s completion amid U.S. sanctions. The fund, which received €20 million from Russia, operated as a commercial entity promoting the pipeline’s construction. Lawmakers are now examining who initiated the fund and to what extent Russian influence guided its actions.
Broader Geopolitical and Political Fallout
Critics argue that Nord Stream 2 increased Europe’s energy dependence on Russia and reduced Ukraine’s strategic role by diverting gas flows away from its transit network. This shift deprived Kyiv of billions in transit revenue and bolstered Moscow’s geopolitical leverage—factors that many believe emboldened Russia ahead of its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Although Nord Stream 2 never entered service and was later damaged in 2022 explosions, the project deepened EU divisions and undermined trust in Europe’s energy security. Geopolitical Concerns Over Energy Dependence
Many European politicians and experts argue that Nord Stream 2 enabled Russia’s aggression against Ukraine by strengthening Moscow’s geopolitical leverage while reducing transit dependence on Ukraine’s gas infrastructure. The pipeline bypassed Ukraine, lowering its strategic importance to the EU and depriving Kyiv of billions in annual transit revenues, which weakened its economy. Russia often wields its energy network as a tool of political pressure, and Nord Stream 2 enhanced these leverage points, potentially allowing Moscow greater freedom of action in the region.
Criticism of Germany’s Role in the Project
Critics in Europe and the U.S. have repeatedly stated that Germany’s support or tolerance of Nord Stream 2 reinforced Russia before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While the pipeline never entered service, its construction created political consequences, including EU divisions, heightened dependence on Russian gas, and weakened confidence in European energy security. The pipeline was later damaged in 2022 by explosions, with multiple parties, including Russia, the U.S., and Ukraine, appearing in various theories of responsibility, though conclusive evidence remains absent.
Schroeder as a Symbol of Political Corruption
Schroeder has become emblematic of political corruption due to his close ties with Russian energy firms after leaving office. Between 2022 and 2023, attempts were made to expel him from Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) over his refusal to distance himself from Putin following the invasion of Ukraine. Although an arbitration commission did not remove him, 17 regional SPD branches initiated disciplinary proceedings, reflecting a profound trust crisis. In German society, Schroeder is often labeled “Putinversteher,” or a person who “understands Putin,” a term synonymous with political naivety or self-interest regarding the Kremlin. His name now symbolizes the prioritization of personal gain over national interests.