German Vice Chancellor Habeck: "We Must Reduce the Share of Russian Gas Imports"

Robert Habeck, German Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action [Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] As tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine deepen, Germany has announced plans to reduce its imports of Russian gas.

Robert Habeck, Germany's Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, explained on the 5th (local time) that due to the geopolitical situation, alternative import routes must be established to diversify gas supply lines.

Russia currently supplies 55% of Germany's gas demand.

Vice Chancellor Habeck also warned about the consequences of operating Nord Stream 2, the gas pipeline directly connecting Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea.

Nord Stream 2 is a gas pipeline over 1,200 km long, constructed on the Baltic Sea floor to transport Russian natural gas directly to Germany. If Nord Stream 2 becomes operational, the volume of gas sent directly from Russia to Germany is estimated to double.

Habeck pointed out, "Geopolitically, Nord Stream 2 not only increases dependence on Russian gas but also concentrates supply routes in vulnerable channels."

He stated that if Russian President Vladimir Putin attacks Ukraine, "all sanctions that force Russia to reverse such actions will be considered," adding, "Given the critical situation, the primary goal must be to ease tensions."

As of the 30th of last month, Germany's natural gas storage rate stood at 37%, significantly down from 46% a year earlier. Since mid-last year, Russia has been reducing gas supplies to Europe.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.