Underground Chats in Baku: A Scandalous Gathering of SPD and CDU Giants with Putin's Cronies
SPD and CDU politicians have a meeting with Putin's trusted associates
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In an explosive exposé by ARD's "Kontraste" and "Die Zeit" weekly newspaper, it has been alleged that prominent German politicians and influencers secretly met with Kremlin representatives in the glitzy city of Baku. The cloak-and-dagger gathering, hush-hushed until now, reportedly took place in mid-April and allegedly featured early arrivals like SPD MP Ralf Stegner, former Federal Chancellery chief Ronald Pofalla (CDU), former Brandenburg SPD Minister President Matthias Platzeck, former CDU Europe Minister in NRW Stephan Holthoff-Pförtner, and long-time CEO of the "Petersburg Dialog," Martin Hoffmann. On the Russian side, participants included former Russian Prime Minister and current Gazprom Supervisory Board Chairman Viktor Zubkov, and Chairman of the Russian Human Rights Council, Valery Fadeyev, who is on the EU sanctions list for spreading war propaganda and disinformation.
Moscow Days: Politics and Shady Deals
According to the rumors, there have been at least three such secretive soirées since April 2024, with the content revolving around the potential resurrection of the "Petersburg Dialog." Launched in 2001 by then-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, the "Petersburg Dialog" was a format designed to facilitate business and strengthen relationships, but was officially suspended in 2022 in response to Russia's large-scale attack on Ukraine.
Did He Buzz Off with a Burner Phone?
The whispers of these clandestine meetings in Baku have sent shockwaves through the German political sphere. SPD politician Stegner, who was part of the parliamentary control committee for intelligence services in the last Bundestag, is particularly caught in the crossfire. CDU MP Roderich Kiesewetter is demanding answers from Stegner: "It's not acceptable that we rigorously discuss the national security policy of the Federal Republic of Germany and the capability of our services on the one hand, and become subjects of Russian covert events on the other," Kiesewetter fumed to "Kontraste" and "Die Zeit." "Did he travel with a burner phone? What measures did he take to safeguard himself?"
Kremlin's Chess Move: Manipulating the Berlin Game Board
SWP Russia expert Sabine Fischer believes the covert talks threaten the passage of hard sanctions against Russia. According to Fischer, the Russians are orchestrating a sophisticated scheme to influence key decision-makers within German politics through these furtive meetings.
Stegner, Pofalla, Platzeck, and Holthoff-Pförtner have come forward with a joint statement to address the rumors, asserting that their international dialogues with Russian representatives were an essential part of smart foreign policy, especially during heated geopolitical battles and escalating conflicts. While these discussions are confidential in nature, they emphasize that the discussions were not clandestine or covert, nor did they involve any government agencies as partners. Politically accountable parties were kept in the loop, but government officials neither initiated nor prepared or supported these talks. According to information obtained by "Süddeutsche Zeitung" (SZ), former Chancellor Olaf Scholz was privy to these discussion efforts.
- The explosive revelation of secret meetings in Baku has raised questions about SPD MP Ralf Stegner, as rumors suggest his participation in these gatherings with Kremlin representatives and CDU giants.
- Lobbyists and former German politicians, including Ronald Pofalla (CDU) and Matthias Platzeck (SPD), have been accused of clandestine negotiations with Russian officials, such as Valery Fadeyev, a Russian Human Rights Council chairman on the EU sanctions list.
- In a statement, Stegner, Pofalla, Platzeck, and Holthoff-Pförtner assert their international dialogues with Russian representatives are an essential part of smart foreign policy, despite the confidential nature of the discussions and allegations of covert meetings.
- CDU MP Roderich Kiesewetter demands answers from Stegner regarding travel arrangements and safety measures, as concerns about potential Russian covert events involve German politicians rise.
- Experts like Sabine Fischer from the SWP believe that the secret meetings threatened the passage of hard sanctions against Russia, pointing to a Russian scheme aimed at influencing key decision-makers within the German political sphere.
