The head of the German Bundestag Energy Committee, Klaus Ernst, called for a return to negotiations with Russia on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, noting that sanctions against Russia are suicidal for Germany.
He came Article in the Berliner Zeitung newspaper On August 15, he expressed his belief that the energy sanctions against Russia were a “fatal mistake” and stressed that a major recession is inevitable, and the threat to the energy supply of Europe’s largest economy is “suicide, harming citizens and industry and does not help Ukraine in any way.” Anyway”.
Ernst pointed out that citizens and industry will not make it through the coming winter unscathed, as inflation is mainly driven by rising energy prices, and called the government’s calls for austerity measures “a mere understatement” and many have no other choice.
Ernst believes that Russia, as an energy exporter, has already benefited from higher prices and has found new supply opportunities in India and China, where Russia’s current account surplus tripled in the first half of 2022 compared to the same period last year. “And the war is not expected. Faster as a result of our sanctions,” he said.
The parliamentarian also called for the launch of Nord Stream 2 to prevent a cold autumn and winter in Germany, given that the frantic efforts made by the German economy minister in the spring in order to be able to replace oil and gas from Russia with supplies from other countries , have failed, at best, the first deliveries will be in 2024. This has dire consequences for the workforce and industry, while debate rages on when to start nuclear power plants or restart coal-fired plants. power plants caught fire, as this power cannot replace energy resources.
“It has been proven politically foolish to violate treaties with Russia through its own sanctions, while at the same time expecting Russia to honor the treaties,” the politician wrote. He pointed out that Germany will need affordable fossil fuels for a long time to come, and an agreement with Russia could quickly stabilize energy supplies, increase supplies and thus lead to lower energy prices, which will protect Germany next winter.
Source: RIA Novosti