Germany: Nord Stream: Investigate – but still help

The attack on the Nord Stream pipelines remains one of Europe's biggest criminal cases. There are now many indications that a small group of Ukrainians could be behind it. This makes the matter politically sensitive – because Ukraine is a country that is currently fighting for its survival and is dependent on Western support.

But that is precisely why it is important to make a clear distinction: on the one hand, there is the rule of law. When a crime is committed in Germany, it must be investigated – regardless of who the perpetrators are. No one is above the law. On the other hand, there is politics. And politics knows that Russia is waging a war of aggression and that Ukraine continues to need weapons, money and solidarity.

The two go hand in hand: investigating and clarifying – and helping at the same time. It would be wrong to abandon Ukraine because of a possible act of sabotage. And it would be just as wrong to drop the investigation simply because the suspects are on the ‘right’ side.

The Nord Stream case shows that democracy does not mean choosing convenient truths, but enduring uncomfortable ones. The judiciary must do its job. Politicians must continue to take a stand. And we as a society must understand that solidarity with Ukraine and respect for the rule of law are not mutually exclusive – on the contrary, they belong together.