Can other countries replace Russia in supplying gas to Germany?
German industry will not be able to abandon Russian gas in the near future, as neither Qatar, Algeria nor the United States can replace supplies from Russia, said Vladislav Belov, deputy director of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Germany's Economy Ministry said earlier on Monday that it continues to study Russian President Vladimir Putin's decree on gas payments in rubles and is holding close consultations with partners, but Berlin remains committed to its stance that payments will be made in euros and dollars in line with the contract.
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| Photo illustration AP. |
“Germany depends on Russian gas, oil and coal... If Russian oil and coal are more or less replaceable from different sources, then pipeline gas is hardly replaceable... Neither Qatar, Algeria nor the United States are capable of making up for the deficit (of German industry),” Belov said during the discussion “Selling gas in rubles: a new reality for Europe?” held at the international media outlet Rossyia Segodnya.
Paradoxical situation
At the same time, the expert notes the paradoxical nature of the situation: Germany is demanding that Qatar and the United States increase the supply of liquefied gas, while the "green policy" is aimed at rejecting gas, and LNG receiving stations are built for a 50-year term.
“And it is very likely that the situation will arise where European partners, not only Russia, will again stand at the old pig trough,” Mr. Belov concluded.
He also explained that currently most of the Russian gas in Germany is consumed by households - heating, electricity, gas stoves. The rest is consumed by the chemical industry.
