The German "Leftists" in the Bundestag insist on ending sanctions against Russia and starting negotiations on the commissioning of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to secure gas supplies to Germany.

This was stated by Klaus Ernst, an economic expert of the parliamentary group of the Left, the head of the Committee on Climate Protection and Energy, to the Rheinische Post.

Ernst said that amid the energy crisis, the federal government must do everything possible to ensure the country's energy supply.

"In order to do this, despite the war violating international law, it is necessary to talk to Russia. If necessary - to put Nord Stream 2 into operation for a limited period of time, if gas supplies cannot be otherwise guaranteed," the politician said.

Ernst said that gas supply disruptions can cause irreparable damage to the industrial backbone of Germany, so it is important not to allow rationing of gas to industry.

The politician said the government should ensure that energy prices are kept in check by increasing supplies, including from Russia, and called sanctions ineffective.

"Sanctions in energy policy do not work. They should at least slow down Russian forces. The war goes on relentlessly. On the contrary: energy sanctions benefit Russia. They mean that although less is sold, revenues from those sales are generally higher... Russia continues to make good money from its raw materials, while our citizens and our economy suffer from a completely false sanctions policy. Against this background, it is immoral to maintain sanctions in this way," Ernst said.