Schwerin (dpa/mv) - The German-Russian partnership association, founded four years ago in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, wants to continue its work regardless of Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. "A large majority spoke out in favor of continuing the association and maintaining contact with the people in Russia," said outgoing chairman Erwin Sellering on Friday after a general meeting in Schwerin.
The former SPD prime minister, who is also CEO of the controversial climate protection foundation MV, which is primarily financed with money from the Gazprom subsidiary Nord Stream 2, initiated the founding of the association in 2018 and has chaired it since then. Like other board members, he is no longer available for the office, Sellering said. He saw his task above all in maintaining contact with the state government. This is now obsolete, however, since the financial support ceased at the beginning of the Ukraine war and no further help can be expected.
The 350,000 euros initially earmarked in the state budget for the association's projects - such as youth exchanges - are to benefit humanitarian Ukraine projects. The new board, which is expected to be elected on September 16, must clarify how the association's work is to be financed. With Nord Stream 2, another donor had failed.
The association, which originally had around 70 members, initially put its activities on hold shortly after Russia's attack on Ukraine and condemned the invasion. On its website, the association describes the war as illegal under international law. He brought great suffering to the people of Ukraine and "drastically shows what contempt for human beings and striving for power can also lead to in Europe," it says literally. And further: "We continue to work for a good relationship between Germans and Russians, especially in order to prevent such aggression in the future as far as possible."
