Heinisch, the Energy and Climate Working Group in Union negotiations, is tasked with sorting out the CDU-led German government’s energy policy under Prime Minister Friedrich Merz.
His remarks follow a recent LinkedIn post by CDU politician Thomas Bareiß, a negotiator of infrastructure policy under the next coalition.
“Thinking about the next few years may bring out some surprises,” Bales wrote. “When peace returns and the weapons between Russia and Ukraine are silent, relations become normal, sanctions are lifted, and of course, gas can start flowing again.
Bareiß framed his arguments about the market reality, claiming that pipeline gas from Russia remains more affordable and climate-friendly than liquefied natural gas. He also flagged reports of US investors’ interest in the revival of Nord Stream 2, where the future remains uncertain following the 2022 sabotage attacks.
However, the revival of Russian gas flows could rekindle tensions with Germany’s Eastern European allies, particularly through Node Stream 2. Poland, the Baltic States and Ukraine vehemently opposed the pipeline long before it was damaged in 2022, claiming it had deepened its dependence on Russia’s energy in Europe and robbed Ukraine’s revenue and influence by bypassing its transport network.
