– Berlin sharply reduces its dependence on Russian gas
Gazprom confirms the sharp drop in its deliveries to Europe. The German government is now in favor of a European embargo on Russian oil.
ATS and AFP (with Pierre-Alexandre Sallier)
Posted today at 6:14 p.m.
Main headquarters of the Russian company Gazprom in Berlin, of which Germany temporarily took control in the context of the war in Ukraine.
AFP/JOHN MACDOUGALL
Germany, one of the European countries most dependent on Russia for its energy before the war in Ukraine, announced on Sunday that it had already succeeded in greatly reducing this trend. Efforts relate in particular to coal and oil.
Russian oil divided by three
On the other hand, that towards Russian oil imports has fallen in recent weeks to 12%, once morest 35% previously – and that linked to coal to 8% once morest 50% so far – announced the Ministry of the Economy.
“Over the past few weeks, we have made great efforts.”
Robert Habeck, German Minister of Economy and Climate
“Over the past few weeks, we have made great efforts, with all the players concerned, to reduce our imports of fossil fuels from Russia and to diversify our supplies”, welcomed the Minister of the Economy. and Climate, Robert Habeck.
Goal 0%
Berlin had already announced several weeks ago that it wanted to completely do without Russian oil and coal by the end of the year. The German government is also now in favor of a European embargo on Russian oil.
Regarding Russian gas, however, he warned that it would be very difficult to do without it before 2024. Even if the country has greatly increased its imports from Norway and the Netherlands. As well as liquefied gas from other countries.
If Moscow were to stop its deliveries in this area overnight, the authorities expect to see the country plunge into economic recession, for lack of the industry being able to function normally.
Gazprom delivers a quarter less
For its part, the Russian gas giant Gazprom announced on Sunday that its deliveries to EU countries and Turkey fell sharply – by more than a quarter – between January and April compared to this period in 2021. Exports to China, on the other hand, exploded, climbing by 60% via the Power of Siberia gas pipeline.
“Gas available in Europe depends on strong demand in Asia.”
Gazprom, communiqué
In a statement, the Russian state-controlled group said it would continue to supply gas to Europe “in full compliance with contractual obligations”.
Gazprom also spoke on the subject – strategic, for next winter – of gas reserves in European underground storage facilities. The Russian group points out that the daily delivery capacity had technical limits and that “the total quantity of gas available on the European market depends strongly on demand on the growing Asian market”.
Posted today at 6:14 p.m.
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