Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil of the SPD stated that the invitation extended by Russian Finance Minister Anton Germanovich Siluanov to the G20 summit necessitates a response. Speaking on Tuesday on RTL’s “Nachtjournal Spezial,” Klingbeil noted that there are “irritating signals” occurring at the G20 that “cannot be left without comment.” To this end, he made it clear that this “normalization must not happen, and I personally do not accept it.”
According to Klingbeil, Germany must draw concrete conclusions from the current situation. Instead of remaining “sad that things are not going so well with the US,” he argued the country should declare, “Then we will draw our consequences from this and work on other partnerships, ensuring that Germany and Europe become stronger.” He pointed out that there are “an incredible number of countries” keen to work more closely with Germany, citing examples such as Canada and India. The SPD politician highlighted that “strength in Europe is an unimaginable value.”
Nevertheless, Klingbeil stressed that despite these developments, he does not intend to give up the partnership with the United States. “One must seek conversations and remain in dialogue constantly,” he asserted, adding that many people within the US still wish to collaborate with Germany.
