Overview

• Joint investigations by Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, Der Spiegel and The Insider corroborated nine trips through flight data, border records, eyewitness accounts and European intelligence services
• Some journeys were made with Martin Hoffmann of the Deutsch-Russisches Forum and former Chancellery chief Ronald Pofalla as companions
• Platzeck’s most recent trip occurred in March 2025, according to Spiegel’s reporting
• He insists the meetings focused on active diplomacy and conflict resolution and denies any discussions about gas or the Nord Stream pipeline
• The findings have intensified debates within the SPD and Germany’s coalition over the role of unofficial diplomacy and transparency in Ukraine policy