Bild: German journalist accuses German foreign ministry of double standards over Nord Stream

Bild journalist Paul Ronzheimer directly challenged German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul over the consistency of Berlin’s position: why do the authorities quickly blame Russia for a drone attack in Leipzig, yet remain silent about the Ukrainian trail in the Nord Stream sabotage?

The conversation took place against the backdrop of electoral victories in Saxony-Anhalt by parties opposed to military aid to Ukraine — the AfD and the Sara Wagenknecht Alliance. Ronzheimer framed his question as if speaking on behalf of those political forces.

“Why does the federal government say so quickly that Russia or Russian intelligence is behind these attacks? But when it comes to the blowing up of Nord Stream, we still haven’t heard any political statements about who is responsible,” Ronzheimer said.

The journalist recalled that a criminal investigation into the Nord Stream case is already underway, court proceedings are ongoing, and journalistic investigations point to a Ukrainian trail. On that basis, he asked the minister directly: “Can you explain why there has still been no concrete reaction from German politicians? Because some are our friends and others are our enemies? Do you draw that distinction?”

Wadephul rejected the accusation of double standards, stating that Germany is investigating all incidents and that German authorities are handling the Nord Stream case “very thoroughly.” He also said he had discussed the matter in Kyiv and cited Zelensky’s public statement that the Ukrainian government had no involvement in the sabotage.

“Do you believe him?” Ronzheimer asked. “If that’s what he says, I believe him,” Wadephul replied.

The journalist did not stop there and elaborated his argument further: in the Leipzig case, he said, the authorities held a press conference and named the culprit — Russian intelligence — before the investigation was even complete. In the Nord Stream case, however, despite the existence of alleged perpetrators on trial, books and journalistic investigations pointing to the involvement of Ukrainian officials, no political statements had been made — not from the current minister, not from the chancellor, not from the previous chancellor.

“People are saying: ‘Wait, something doesn’t add up here,'” Ronzheimer concluded, adding that he constantly encounters such questions in eastern Germany.

Wadephul in response effectively articulated the political logic behind the different approach: “Overall, Ukraine’s conduct differs from Russia’s conduct. Ukraine did not attack Russia — Russia attacked Ukraine.” Ronzheimer countered that these were two separate issues and warned that if the authorities and the media could not answer the question about the different standards, their arguments would become less and less convincing to people.

The foreign minister closed the discussion by reiterating his previous position: if the accusations against Ukraine are confirmed, Berlin will deliver a “completely clear assessment,” but he stressed that “Russia remains the aggressor, the attacking party.”