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Germany warns against sanctioning ‘essential’ Russian oil and gas

Chancellor Olaf Scholz says refusing to ban Russian energy imports is a “conscious decision”

Germany warns against sanctioning ‘essential’ Russian oil and gas

Despite levying punishing economic sanctions on Russia, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday that Europe needs to keep importing Russian oil and gas, which he said are “essential” for the continent’s energy security.

“At the moment, Europe’s supply of energy for heat generation, mobility, power supply and industry cannot be secured in any other way,” than by importing from Russia, read an official statement from Scholz’ office. “It is therefore of essential importance for the provision of public services and the daily lives of our citizens.”

Germany relies on Russia for around 55% of its total gas supply, while the EU imports more than half of all its energy products. Of these imports, Russia supplies 41% of gas, 46% of coal, and 27% of oil. 

The EU, therefore, has been reluctant to sanction Russian energy in response to the conflict in Ukraine, even while hitting Moscow with unprecedented restrictions, closing its airspace to Russian flights, banning Russian media, and supplying arms to Ukraine.

For Germany, ensuring the continued flow of oil and gas is even more critical. The country’s investment in wind power has failed to deliver enough energy to make up for coal plant closures, and its last three nuclear plants are slated to close by the end of this year. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline was set to shore up Germany’s energy needs with cheap natural gas from Russia, until Berlin cancelled its certification prior to Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine.

Germany is currently moving to reduce its reliance on Russian gas, with Economy Minister Robert Habeck announcing on Saturday that it would build two Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals to allow imports from suppliers like the United States. Meanwhile, Germany is already exceeding the targets set out by the EU’s 2030 plan, which calls for 32% of all energy to be generated from renewable sources.

“The German government has been working hard for months with its partners within the European Union and beyond to develop alternatives to Russian energy,” Scholz’ statement continued. “However, this cannot be done overnight. That is why it is a conscious decision on our part to continue the activities of business enterprises in the area of energy supply with Russia.”NATO member bans arms supplies to Ukraine

Hungary explained its move by the need to protect its own safety and to prevent itself from entering “this war”

NATO member bans arms supplies to Ukraine

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has signed a decree banning weapons supply to Ukraine, explaining the decision by the need to defend his own country’s security.

In a video statement, published on Monday on Facebook, the prime minister said that the decree has been released following an assessment of the situation in Ukraine. As the “military actions are getting closer and closer to the Hungarian border,” Orban said, it was decided to outlaw the weapons supply.

“The order makes it clear that weapons cannot be transported from Hungary’s territory to the territory of Ukraine,” Orban said.

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The announcement follows a Sunday statement by the country’s foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, who said that the government’s paramount goal was “to prevent Hungary from entering this war.”

“To this end, we resist the pressure and the demands of the opposition: We will not send neither soldiers nor weapons to Ukraine, nor will we allow the transfer of deadly weapons in our territory,” Szijarto wrote on Facebook.

The decree banning weapons supply to Ukraine allows NATO forces to be stationed in Hungary and authorizes the transport of weapons shipments via its territory to other NATO members.

Hungary, unlike many of its Western partners, condemned Russia only two days after the offensive had begun, with the country’s President Janos Ader saying that Hungary shared the “joint position of the EU and NATO.”

Later on, PM Victor Orban confirmed that his country would not veto EU sanctions against Moscow.

As tens of thousands Ukrainian refugees are fleeing from the conflict to Hungary, Orban pledged support for them, saying that “everyone fleeing Ukraine will find a friend in the Hungarian state.”

The Russian attack on Ukraine has stated goals of “demilitarizing” the country, protecting the Donbass and defending Russia’s own security. The West responded to the offensive with harsh sanctions, targeting various sectors of the country’s economy as well as Russian top officials                                                       China calls Russia its chief 'strategic partner' despite war

China is calling Russia its “most important strategic partner" as Beijing continues to refuse to condemn the invasion of Ukraine despite growing pressure from the U.S. and EU to use its influence to urge Moscow to pull back