Status: 03/02/2022 1:32 p.m
In order to fill up the German gas reserves, the federal government is buying liquid gas for one and a half billion euros. This has been confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Economics. The reason for this is the low levels in the storage tanks.
The federal government wants to buy additional liquid gas for 1.5 billion euros in the short term in order to become less dependent on Russian energy supplies. “The money is ready,” said a spokesman for the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The money was promised to the gas trader Trading Hub Europe. He should now decide where the liquid gas will be purchased specifically. “That will happen in the very short term.” Government circles had previously confirmed media reports that the federal government was buying gas as a reserve for the near future in response to supply problems in the winter and the Russian attack on Ukraine.
Budget Committee not consulted due to time pressure
According to a letter from the Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Florian Toncar, the department of Minister Christian Lindner gave the go-ahead for a corresponding application from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. As is usual in comparable cases, the budget committee of the Bundestag was not consulted. The reason given was that because of the fast delivery, the gas had to be paid for “very promptly”.
According to the Economy Ministry, there is currently no evidence that Russia is failing to meet its energy and raw materials obligations. The security of supply is guaranteed.
In view of rising prices after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the USA and its allies had announced that they would throw part of their oil reserves on the market. 60 million barrels were released for this. The spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Economics said that it was now being examined what the consequences would be for Germany and whether further measures were necessary. But it is already a relief.
No energy embargo for the time being
The federal government is reluctant to discuss a discussed embargo on oil, gas and coal from Russia. A government spokeswoman pointed out that the EU and the USA had decided on three packages of sanctions. These provide for measures primarily against the Russian financial sector. The spokeswoman said further measures could not be ruled out at EU level.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said his country would immediately unilaterally stop imports of Russian coal. All he needs is an assurance from the EU Commission that Poland will not be penalized because sanctions policy is an EU matter. Germany imports large quantities of coal, gas and oil from Russia.