While Germany, which imposed sanctions on Russia after the war it started on Ukraine, was looking for alternative supply opportunities instead of the natural gas it bought from Russia, an interesting exit came from the state of Saxony, which is described as a ‘U’ turn.
The energy crisis that started with Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to affect Europe deeply.
A flash natural gas announcement came from Germany, one of the countries most affected by the energy crisis.
The Prime Minister of Saxony Michael Kretschmer, said that after the Ukraine war, Russian Natural Gas shipments should start again.
Speaking to Bild am Sonntag newspaper, Kretschmer said, “When the war is over, we should use the gas from Russia.” Kretschmer’s words were interpreted as a call to Russia and a ‘U’ turn in Germany’s Russia policy.
When asked if he was waiting for the damaged Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to be repaired, he replied:
‘We will need pipeline gas, and that is only possible with functioning pipelines.’
Kretschmer noted that in order to end the war, Germany must join other countries and push for a negotiated solution, adding, “Now we need joint diplomatic efforts of the EU, the USA, China, India and Japan. This war must be stopped,” he said.
Stating that these negotiations will not automatically lead to Ukraine leaving a part of its territory, Kretschmer said, “There is not a single reason for Ukraine to give up even one square meter of its territory. War losses should be compensated by Russia and war criminals should be held accountable. Peace negotiations should be entered with this attitude. Europe needs to put more pressure on peace talks. “We should no longer resolve these issues on the battlefield,” he said.
Klaus Müller, Chairman of the Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA), the agency that regulates the energy market in Germany, announced that if Russia cuts off its gas supply completely, the gas storage facilities in the country can meet the demand for a maximum of 2.5 months.
‘RIGHT NOW A TSUNAMI IS OCCURING’
Expressing his doubts about the effects of EU sanctions against Russia, Kretschmer said, “Sanctions are always better than using weapons. But they must also have the necessary influence on the aggressor.”
Noting that the impact of the sanctions against Russia on the German economy should also be discussed clearly, Kretschmer warned, “A tsunami is occurring right now.”
Touching on the issue of alternative gas supply, Kretschmer said, “We need long-term contracts for the supply of liquefied gas from the USA, Qatar and other Arab countries. We also have to finally develop our own natural gas in the North Sea,” he said.
Russian state energy company Gazprom announced in April that it would suspend natural gas flow to GasTerra, which refuses to pay in rubles for the gas it supplies.
GasTerra, on the other hand, made a statement regarding the ruble payments and stated that Gazprom’s payment obligations for Russian natural gas would not be fulfilled.
Gazprom had also cut off gas supplies to Finland, which had previously refused to pay in rubles.
WHICH COUNTRIES ARE ON THE LIST?
With the decree signed by Putin, the list of ‘unfriendly countries’ became official in the past weeks.
The list published by the Russian government included the USA and all EU countries. Ukraine, Montenegro, Switzerland, Albania, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, North Macedonia, as well as Japan, South Korea, Australia, Micronesia, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan were also on the list.
