15.03.2022, Berlin.
An immediate boycott of Russian gas and oil imports could hurt its own population more than Vladimir Putin, leading to mass unemployment and poverty, German Economy and Energy Minister Robert Habeck told ARD March 14.
“If we flick the switch immediately, there will be a supply shortage, even a supply cut-off in Germany,” Habeck said.
The politician, who represents the Alliance ’90/The Greens, predicted “mass unemployment, poverty, people who can’t heat their homes, people who run out of gasoline” if his country stops using Russian oil and gas.
Few other Western economies are as dependent on Russian energy imports as Germany: 55% of natural gas, 52% of coal and 34% of oil products used in the country come from Russia.
Habeck said his government is working to ensure that by the summer Germany will be able to phase out Russian coal and phase out Russian oil by the end of the year.
“Thanks to coal, oil and even gas, we are becoming independent step by step,” said the former co-chairman of the Alliance ’90/The Greens. “But we can’t do it in an instant. It’s bitter, and it’s not good to admit it morally, but we can’t do it yet.”
Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Germany would not impose sanctions against the Russian fuel and energy sector.
“There is currently no other way to ensure Europe’s energy supply for heat generation, mobility, electricity and industry,” Scholz said.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
