Gabriel criticizes his own course towards Russia: One of the biggest mistakes!

Gabriel criticizes his own course towards Russia: One of the biggest mistakes!

The political waters in Germany are currently anything but calm, especially when it comes to the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline project. On November 7, 2025, Sigmar Gabriel, the former Federal Minister of Economics, appeared before the investigative committee of the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Here he had to deal with the critical analysis of his previous dealings with Russia. Gabriel emphasized that the misjudgment of Vladimir Putin's intentions was one of the biggest mistakes in German foreign policy, in which he himself was involved. A point that could cause big waves, because the committee is looking closely: It is investigating possible Russian influence on the establishment of a state foundation that supported the pipeline project in 2021 despite the threat of US sanctions.

The former minister explained to MPs that there had been no close and regular cooperation between the federal government and the state government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The political leadership in Berlin therefore did not actively influence the course of the pipeline project, which, according to Gabriel, primarily served to secure gas supplies and was viewed as a private-sector project. This is seen by many as controversial, especially since construction of the pipeline continued even after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Gabriel defended himself by emphasizing that stopping the project should not have jeopardized negotiations in the Crimean conflict.

The status quo of Nord Stream 2

The discussion about Nord Stream 2 is also fueled by the current geopolitical situation. Even though the pipeline was already fully constructed, it never went into operation because of Russian aggression against Ukraine. It has also no longer been usable since the bomb attacks on the pipes. The time reports that Peter Altmaier, the then head of the Federal Chancellery, is also being questioned as a witness. Gerhard Schröder, Gabriel's predecessor, has already testified, and current Chancellor Olaf Scholz will also address the committee on November 21st. So there are still some exciting statements to come.

The political explosiveness of this issue could hardly be higher. The investigative committee has set itself the goal of completing its work by the upcoming state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania next year. The aim is to achieve a timely clarification that will certainly be in the public eye. Was there actually Russian influence or was it just oversights on the German side? These questions are looming, and the answers could have far-reaching consequences for German foreign policy. Northern Courier has taken up the debate about Gabriel's responsibility and his role in it.