Germany's reliance on Russian gas addressed by Eva Maydell
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Mr Scholz said during a visit to Tokyo on Thursday that Germany is bracing itself for Russia to stop shipping gas to Germany. Although he did stress that it Is impossible to predict Vladimir Putin’s behaviour. The German Chancellor warned: “You have to be prepared for that, and we were already prepared before the war started and we know what we have to do.”
This comes after the Kremlin turned down a payment for gas in euros from a German state-controlled utility.
Moscow had already warned that “unfriendly” countries had until March 31 to pay for its gas in rubles or else face a supply cut.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “Payment in proper form will be the basis for the continuation of supply.”
Berlin has stressed that the refused payment was only over a “marginal gas volume of about 0.2 percent of the Russian import volumes to Europe”, its economy ministry said.
But, shockingly, 0.2 percent of EU gas imports equates to 0.7 percent of German gas imports, exposing Berlin’s staggering reliance on Russia.
Germany is one of the most dependent countries on Russian gas in the entire bloc, with around a third of Russia’s gas accounting for its total supplies.
The Russian move has sent prices skyrocketing across the continent.
Responding to this, German Vice-Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that his country’s gas supply situation is “stable” and “we are doing everything we can to keep it that way”.
The ministry added that it is not alarmed by this cut to shipments.
It said that “security of supply in Germany is guaranteed” as this volume could be replaced by purchases on the market.
But last night, reports emerged that Berlin may in fact be caving to Russia’s demand to avoid a supply cut.
Channel 4’s Matt Frei asked Bulgarian MEP Eva Maydell about the reports that “Germany might be thinking of paying for its Russian gas in rubles”.
Mr Frei said that the move “would, of course, cause outrage in the European Union”.
Donald Tusk, the former President of the European Council, blasted the news.
He tweeted: “I’ve heard that not only Hungary but also Austria and Germany are ready to pay for the Russian gas in rubles. Are they still in eurozone or in rublezone?”
DON’T MISS
Poland outsmarts Putin as Kremlin CUTS gas supplies into EU [REPORT]
Vallance skewers EV plans as going green ‘totally impossible’ for most [REVEAL]
UK embarrassment laid bare: US hid details of NUKING British satellite [INSIGHT]
This comes after Russia followed through with its threat and briefly cut supplies travelling to Poland and Bulgaria through the Yamal pipeline on Tuesday night.
Poland had staunchly opposed Russia’s demand to pay for gas in rubles.
Warsaw’s Commissioner for Strategic Energy Infrastructure Piotr Naimski said: “We will not pay.
“Various possibilities and risks are being considered and we’re prepared for them.
“If it is necessary, and if such a decision is made, we’re able to cut ourselves off from the gas supplies at a moment’s notice, and we’re ready for Russian actions, including an interruption in supplies.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made clear that the EU must reject Russia’s ruble request, claiming it would undermine the sanctions the bloc has slapped down over Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
She said: “Our guidance here is very clear.
“If this is not foreseen in the contract, to pay in rubles is a breach of our sanctions.”
Source: Read Full Article
