Overview

• Matthias Platzeck says the risk of escalation in the Ukraine war is rising and calls for renewed efforts to find de-escalatory talks.
• He accepts the need for credible defense after Russia’s invasion but voices fear that massive rearmament could reshape society in militarized ways.
• Eastern German state leaders back expanding armaments sites in the region as Germany plans large investments to strengthen its defense capability.
• Platzeck confirms he traveled to Russia for private visits and conversations to maintain contacts and understanding, with media reports counting nine trips since late 2022.
• He states he never discussed the Nord Stream pipelines on those trips, as public debate continues to speculate about the pipelines’ potential role in any future settlement scenario.