Olaf Scholz: Germany will not refuse gas imports from Russia | Analysis of events in political life and society in Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany would not stop importing energy from Russia. “This is a conscious, reasonable and understandable decision, in any case, on our part, we will not stop the imports that Europe currently has in the energy sector,” he said after the EU summit in Versailles on Friday, March 11.

According to Scholz, the heads of state and government of the EU countries are absolutely unanimous in their opinion on this issue. “Europe is much more dependent on energy imports than, for example, the United States and Canada, which therefore find it easier to cope with the situation. They know that what they are doing, we in Europe cannot do to the same extent,” the Chancellor explained. Germany.

Dependence on Russian energy carriers

According to the German Ministry of Economy, the share of Russian imports in Germany’s gas supplies is about 55 percent, in coal supplies – about 50 percent, and in oil supplies – about 35 percent.

At the same time, according to Scholz, EU countries intend to increase sanctions in other areas, which will have immediate consequences for Russia’s economic development.

Energy independence by 2027

Against the backdrop of a sharp confrontation in relations with Moscow, the European Union intends to get rid of dependence on Russia in the field of energy supplies within five years. “By the end of May, we will submit a proposal to get rid of our dependence on Russian gas, oil and coal by 2027,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the EU summit in Versailles.

According to von der Leyen, the regulator will outline ways to improve the design of the electricity market in order to promote renewal in the energy sector. At the same time, she noted that consumers and businesses need support now, so the European Commission is preparing directives in order to introduce price regulation as an exception and provide state support to enterprises.

By the end of March, the European Commission will present additional measures to curb “chain reactions” between high gas and electricity prices, which could include temporarily limiting price increases, von der Leyen said. “We must be prepared for next winter. Therefore, we will create an expert group that will develop a plan that will annually ensure the loading of gas storage facilities by October to the level of 90 percent,” she said.

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Author: Andrey Gurkov