In an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt, published today, Friday, the head of the Bundestag committee on energy and climate protection, Klaus Ernst, criticized the German government for its failed energy policy.
The politician said: “Germany is pursuing a policy under the slogan: (I will shoot myself in the foot to challenge Putin). At the same time, we do no harm to Putin. Russia only benefits from high fuel prices in the markets.”
The German parliamentarian added that without Russian energy resources, he expects Germany’s gross domestic product to fall by 12%. It’s an absolute disaster.”
Earlier, Ernst called on the German government to continue dialogue with Russia on the energy issue. The politician also told the Rheinische Post that he sees an opportunity to “temporarily launch (Nord Stream 2) if energy security cannot be ensured in any other way.”
For his part, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that using Nord Stream 2 to overcome the energy crisis in Germany is “not an option.”
Earlier, the Russian company Gazprom significantly reduced the flow of gas to Europe via Nord Stream 1 for technical reasons due to the inability to return turbines from Canada after they were serviced there.
Since only 40% of the Nord Stream gas pipeline has been pumped, it is doubtful that the goal of filling Germany’s gas storage facilities will be reached by next winter.
Source: RIA Novosti