Status: 04/20/2022 18:01
Germany will stop importing Russian oil from next year. Foreign Minister Baerbock promised this after consultations in Riga. She assured the Baltic States of more military support.
By the end of the year, Germany intends to completely stop importing oil from Russia. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) said this after consultations with her Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian counterparts in Riga. “That’s why I’m saying here clearly and unequivocally: yes, Germany is also completely eliminating Russian energy imports,” explained Baerbock.
War in Ukraine: Foreign Minister Baerbock holds negotiations in the Baltic States
Kerstin Palzer, ARD Berlin, daily news at 8pm, 20 April 2022
“We’re going to halve oil by the summer and get to zero by the end of the year. And then gas will follow, on a common European roadmap – because our common exit, full exit with the European Union, is our common strength.” said the minister. “We must urgently end our Russian energy dependence.”
Mistakes in energy policy
Baerbock admitted mistakes Germany made in dealing with Russia’s energy supply. “What we need to do more than ever is to end our energy imports from Russia once and for all,” she said. “We made mistakes in this area, but we can’t go back in time now, we can’t undo it.”
Security in Europe means reducing dependence on Russia, especially in the energy sector. “We all want to phase out the gas supply, better today than tomorrow,” said Baerbock. She attested to the fact that the Baltic states adopted a policy at an early stage that largely reduced their dependence on Russian gas.
EU coal embargo
The Kiev government accuses Germany of financing the Russian war against Ukraine by importing oil, gas and coal. EU countries had already decided on a coal embargo against Russia last week. By the end of the year, Federal Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) also believes that it is possible to be “virtually independent” of Russian oil. In the case of gas, his ministry only considers this possible “until mid-2024”.
Baerbock agrees to help Balten
Baerbock promised the Baltic republics more military support from Germany. “If more is needed, we will also do more here in the Baltic States,” Baerbock said. On NATO’s eastern flank, not only the security of the Baltic States is defended, but also the security of the whole of Europe. “Germany will make the necessary contribution here on the ground,” explained the minister.
Foreign Minister Baerbock on consultations in Riga
Sofie Donges, ARD Stockholm, April 20, 2022 7:14 pm