Germany bans Russian gas in the wake of the Ukrainian crisis

Ukraine crisis – this is the first strong response sent to Vladimir Putin. This Tuesday, February 22, the next day Russia’s unilateral recognition Independence of separatist territories From eastern UkraineGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholes Announced that it would suspend accreditation for the controversial gas pipeline Nort Stream 2 To annex Russia to Germany. He threatened “other obstacles”.

This decision is particularly significant given the importance of Russian gas to Germany. That is why it was welcomed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba. “It was a decision made morally, politically and practically,” he tweeted. “Leading a country involves making difficult decisions in times of crisis. What Germany has done now proves it.

I welcome Germany’s suspension of Nord Stream 2 certification. In the current situation it is a morally, politically and practically correct step. True leadership is about making tough decisions in difficult times. This move by Germany proves it. BABaerbock

– DimitroKuleba (DmytroKuleba) February 22, 2022

“Without certification, Nord Stream 2 cannot be implemented,” Olaf Scholz told a news conference with Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin in Berlin, adding that the file would be “re-examined” by the government. German.

“I have asked the Ministry of Economy and the Federal Plan Certification Agency to suspend their certification work,” Olaf Scholes said. “We can not accept the recognition of (pro-Russian provinces), which is why it is important to act quickly now,” he argued. “Welcome to the brave new world in which Europeans will soon pay 2,000 euros for 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas,” tweeted the former Russian president and deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. Dmitry Medvedev.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholes has ordered an end to the certification process for the North Stream 2 gas pipeline. OK. Welcome to the brave new world where Europeans will soon pay € 2,000 for 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas!

– Dmitry Medvedev (edMedvedevRussiaE) February 22, 2022

Will there still be fines?

Completed in November, but not yet operational, the North Stream 2 project has been at the center of geopolitical and economic wars since its inception. Due to legal issues due to non-compliance with certain rules of German and European law, it is still waiting for the certification of the energy regulator in Germany.

In light of the recent developments in Ukraine, Berlin is now taking it one step further by suspending this practice and reviewing the file. North Stream 2 has been operating since 2012 on the same track as its dual North Stream 1, carrying 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year through a 1,230-kilometer pipeline under the Baltic Sea. The route should cross Ukraine and increase the potential for Russian gas supply to Europe.

However, Russian gas represents the majority of German imports, and more broadly, it does. 20% of 27’s consumption EU countries. So this makes Olaf Scholz’s decision a particularly strong gesture.

The EU has already warned that the EU will accept “massive and strong” sanctions, as the German chancellor has warned that “other sanctions” against Russia could continue, especially if the situation in Ukraine worsens.

After all, Angela Merkel’s successor called for diplomatic efforts to “avoid a catastrophe” between the West and Russia. “This is the goal of all our diplomatic efforts,” he added, adding that “80 years after the end of World War II, a war is threatening Eastern Europe.”

See also Huffpost: In Ukraine, armored vehicles enter Donetsk after Putin’s statements