Germany is not ready to cut off gas supplies from Russia, as an import ban would put Europe’s industrial giant on its knees. Internal stability is a priority for Germany, writes European correspondent Suvi Turtiainen.
Berlin. In Germany, however, the uncomfortable truth is said out loud.
Yes, Germany is financing the Russian offensive war in Ukraine by buying gas and oil from Russia. About half of the natural gas used by Germany comes from Russia.
Yes, there has been too much faith in Russia. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier admitted (go to another service) from the beginning of the week that there was an error in supporting the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany. The German leadership supported the project despite strong opposition from Eastern European countries and the United States.
No. It is not possible to return to normal economic relations with Russia as long as the perpetrator of war crimes Vladimir Putin administration is in power, the Minister of Finance Christian Lindner said Die Zeit magazine in an interview (you move to another service).
What remains of the truth, however, remains the most uncomfortable. No, Germany is not ready to put gas taps out of Russia all at once. Despite Bucha and all other war crimes uncovered in the wake of Russian forces.
According to the German leadership, the social and economic price would be too high. Fossil energy imports from Russia will be phased out as soon as possible, but Germany says more time is needed.
Economists have been present for weeks calculations (switch to another service) about how much it would cost Germany to close the gas taps. Some estimate that the impact on German economic growth would be less than what the pandemic has cost.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholzin according to (you switch to another service) this estimate is simply wrong. Scholz said in late March that shutting down the gas taps would cause a widespread economic crisis and mass unemployment. It is therefore impossible to calculate the price.
The ban on gas imports would hit the chemical industry in particular, on whose products many other industries also depend. Europe’s largest industrial power would soon be on its knees.
The crisis would also have a direct impact on German consumer prices, which are already rising sharply due to inflation. In recent days, German retail chains have announced extensive price increases.
The uncomfortable truth is also that the majority of Germans do not want to ban gas imports from Russia.
Forsa Research Center fresh query (go to another service) 43% are in favor of an import ban, even if it causes prices to rise. 50 percent will continue to support the purchase of gas from Russia.
It remains uncomfortable question. Is Germany on the dark side of history when it does not want to shut down gas taps immediately?
President Volodymyr Zelenskyi is rated (switch to another service) Germany directly about how Germany maintains bridges to Russia in energy relations and at the same time builds a wall between Ukraine and the rest of Europe. Earlier this week, Zelenskyi said the former chancellor Angela Merkel is a major reason why Ukraine’s NATO efforts never progressed.
Germany has already given Ukraine several reasons to be disappointed. Throughout the war, Germany has taken two steps after the Western Allies and bowed to Ukraine for help only after a delay.
Before the war, the German political elite did not believe the war would break out at all. There was no desire to supply weapons to Ukraine until after the war.
Now Germany is above all in pain with a ban on imports of Russian gas. The EU has already agreed to ban coal imports, and oil is next on the list.
For Germany, the idea of social stability is important because of its own history. Economic distress and mass unemployment are feared to fuel radical political forces. A ban on gas imports would bring chaos.
But stability has already been broken.
Russia has challenged the entire world order and is waging a war of aggression in Europe. Its price will eventually be high for Germany as well. Harder than the cost of closing gas taps.
What do you think of Germany’s Russia line? You can discuss this topic until Friday, April 8 at 11 p.m.