Following the German navy chief, Bavaria's premier also came to Russia's defense

He also said that Ukraine's accession to NATO "cannot be even discussed in the near future."

Markus Söder, Prime Minister of the German state of Bavaria, spoke out against tough anti-Russian sanctions, saying that Moscow is not Europe's enemy. He added that Ukraine's accession to NATO cannot be discussed in the near future. Söder made these remarks in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

In the interview, Söder noted that "no one can want war in Europe, while the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine must be respected in accordance with international law."

At the same time, he expressed confidence that increasingly harsh sanctions against Russia cannot be an independent solution.

Markus Söder
Prime Minister of Bavaria

On the one hand, because sanctions have long been of little effectiveness, and on the other hand, because these new sanctions are often no less harmful to us. For example, disconnecting Russia from the SWIFT financial system. Or closing the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, or even halting all gas supplies from Russia altogether would affect our country as well. 

He also added that "even at the height of the Cold War, the energy link between the Soviet Union and Germany was not in doubt."

Söder also spoke out against Ukraine's accession to NATO in the near future.

Markus Söder
Prime Minister of Bavaria

Despite all the justified criticism of Russia, the West will ultimately have to answer the key question: is NATO expansion including Ukraine planned or not?" Of course, you cannot let Russia dictate here. But an answer still needs to be given. In my view, one thing is clear: eastward NATO expansion including Ukraine will not be on the agenda for a long time.

According to him, NATO has no obligations of military alliance with Ukraine: "This is a matter of clarity and honesty, to define a strategy that takes this into account when protecting Ukraine's territorial integrity."

Söder stressed that Russia is a "difficult partner, but not an enemy of Europe," therefore it is necessary to maintain contact with Moscow. He said that most Germans want stable and peaceful relations with Russia.

"One thing is clear: Russia is not a regional state. Russia is and will remain a great power. We are firmly anchored in the West, but we must maintain contact with Moscow, even if it is always a challenge," the Bavarian premier said.

He also said he "cannot imagine" supplying German weapons to Ukraine.

Markus Söder heads the Christian Social Union party, which was part of Angela Merkel's ruling coalition for 16 years.

Söder was also considered a potential chancellor candidate from Merkel's bloc last year, but ultimately that right was won by Armin Laschet, who lost the election to Olaf Scholz.

A day earlier, German navy chief Vice Admiral Kai-Achim Schönbach caused a diplomatic scandal with his statements that Ukraine supposedly "will never get back Crimea occupied by Russia, and it, along with Georgia, cannot be admitted to NATO."