According to the federal government, about a third of the oil used in Germany comes from Russia. It is said that this cannot easily be replaced in the event of a boycott of Russian exports.
According to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Germany continues to rely on energy imports from Russia.
“There is currently no other way of securing Europe’s supply of energy for heating, for mobility, for power supply and for industry,” said the SPD politician on Monday. Energy from Russia is of essential importance for the daily life of the citizens. Therefore, Europe deliberately excluded energy supplies from the sanctions against Russia because of the Ukraine war.
Alternatives to Russian energy are being worked on, but that will take some time, said Scholz. “It is therefore a conscious decision on our part to continue the activities of commercial companies in the field of energy supply with Russia.”
Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in Berlin that the EU, in close consultation with the US and Great Britain, had imposed very, very far-reaching sanctions against Russia. About a third of the oil used in Germany comes from Russia: “It’s not easy to replace it overnight.”
Sanctions should have a long-term effect
Nevertheless, the federal government is keeping a very close eye on further developments. An embargo would have to be decided at EU level, it is not generally ruled out. The goal of the federal government is to reduce dependence on Russia for energy imports. But this takes years to decades, and it is difficult in the short term.
A spokesman for the Federal Foreign Office said, with a view to the sanctions packages decided against Russia, that the pressure works over the “timeline”. Discussions were being held as to how the pressure could be increased.
Hebestreit said the situation in Ukraine was terrible. He again urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the invasion, withdraw troops and cease hostilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelesnkyj had called for further and tougher sanctions against Russia because of the continued Russian attacks on his country. A boycott of Russian exports is necessary, and with it the renunciation of oil and natural gas from Russia, said Selenskyj in a video clip published on Monday.
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) had already spoken out against a ban on energy imports from Russia in view of the Ukraine war. Germany is currently still dependent on imports – even if you try to change that as soon as possible. Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) also rejected an embargo on Russian oil and gas.
Söder wants nuclear power plants to run longer
In order to secure the energy supply despite the war in Ukraine, Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder is calling for the lifetimes of nuclear power plants to be extended by several years. “Of course, an extension would be technically possible. It’s the question of whether you want it politically,” said the CSU chairman on Monday in ZDF’s “Morgenmagazin”. “But I think that for three to five years that would simply be a good transition in this emergency situation, in order to produce cheap electricity that at the same time does not have any impact on the climate.” This would now be the “right approach”.
Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Michael Kellner said on the show that the government was examining “all options” for precautionary measures for next winter. “However, I don’t see how nuclear power plants can help for the next winter, because they also need fuel, and you don’t get that easily either.” The government sees “little chances of success” here. However, coal-fired power plants will be kept in reserve for all eventualities. At the same time, the Green politician pointed out that Germany wanted to phase out coal by 2030 if possible. Therefore, one should “massively accelerate the expansion of renewable energies and get out of coal earlier”.
Source: Stern
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