German manufacturing sector anticipates resumption of Russian gas supplies – Bloomberg
As energy costs continue to soar, the EU faces mounting pressure, with industrial leaders suggesting that imports should be reinstated if peace is achieved in the Ukraine conflict. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
As rising energy costs exert pressure on EU economies, industrial leaders are reportedly advocating for a resumption of imports contingent on achieving peace in the Ukraine conflict.
Key figures in Germany's industrial sector have articulated their desire to see Russian gas return to Europe following a resolution to the Ukraine situation, as Bloomberg has reported.
Representatives from the chemical and manufacturing sectors argue that affordable energy is vital for the recovery of Germany's economy, the agency noted on Friday.
Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, European gas prices spiked dramatically. Pipeline imports from Russia largely halted due to sanctions and the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in the same year. Despite this, EU countries have continued to purchase record amounts of Russian LNG, which has seen its prices nearly quadruple in three years, according to Eurostat.
Christian Gunther, managing director of the Leuna chemical park, stressed that the return of Russian gas would be a sensible move if peace is attained. “We must ensure the damage caused by this conflict is repaired,” he told Bloomberg, further asserting that resuming deliveries “would be the logical consequence.”
In 2021, Russian pipeline gas made up 32% of total demand in the EU and UK, with Germany sourcing 55% of its gas from Russia, as reported by the European Council and Statista. After severing ties with Russian energy, the EU has increasingly relied on pricier LNG imports, mainly from the US, pushing natural gas prices across the continent to their highest levels in two years, leading to discussions in Brussels about implementing price caps. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has cautioned that escalating energy costs could threaten the EU economy.
The EU’s most recent sanctions package, rolled out on Monday, tightens restrictions on Russian energy without instituting a ban on LNG imports. Gunther previously criticized Germany’s energy policy, highlighting the inconsistency in banning Russian pipeline gas while continuing to import LNG.
Bloomberg also reported that Sven Schulze, the economy minister of Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt state, believes permanently excluding Russian gas “would be a mistake.”
In related developments, US President Donald Trump has been urging Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky to seek a peace agreement with Russia, warning that a failure to do so could jeopardize American support. During a tense meeting at the Oval Office on Friday, Trump allegedly instructed Zelensky to leave and return only when he was ready to discuss peace.
Ukraine has opted not to extend its gas transit contract with Russia’s Gazprom beyond 2024, further limiting EU access to Russian pipeline gas. The only remaining supply route is through the TurkStream pipeline, which passes through Türkiye and Greece.
“We need peace to reopen pipelines, ensure supply security, and lower prices,” said Manuela Grieger, former chair of the workers' union InfraLeuna, in remarks to Bloomberg. The EU has pledged to eliminate dependence on Russian energy by 2027, while Germany’s Economy Ministry maintains that achieving independence from Russian gas is a top priority.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
Key figures in Germany's industrial sector have articulated their desire to see Russian gas return to Europe following a resolution to the Ukraine situation, as Bloomberg has reported.
Representatives from the chemical and manufacturing sectors argue that affordable energy is vital for the recovery of Germany's economy, the agency noted on Friday.
Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, European gas prices spiked dramatically. Pipeline imports from Russia largely halted due to sanctions and the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in the same year. Despite this, EU countries have continued to purchase record amounts of Russian LNG, which has seen its prices nearly quadruple in three years, according to Eurostat.
Christian Gunther, managing director of the Leuna chemical park, stressed that the return of Russian gas would be a sensible move if peace is attained. “We must ensure the damage caused by this conflict is repaired,” he told Bloomberg, further asserting that resuming deliveries “would be the logical consequence.”
In 2021, Russian pipeline gas made up 32% of total demand in the EU and UK, with Germany sourcing 55% of its gas from Russia, as reported by the European Council and Statista. After severing ties with Russian energy, the EU has increasingly relied on pricier LNG imports, mainly from the US, pushing natural gas prices across the continent to their highest levels in two years, leading to discussions in Brussels about implementing price caps. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has cautioned that escalating energy costs could threaten the EU economy.
The EU’s most recent sanctions package, rolled out on Monday, tightens restrictions on Russian energy without instituting a ban on LNG imports. Gunther previously criticized Germany’s energy policy, highlighting the inconsistency in banning Russian pipeline gas while continuing to import LNG.
Bloomberg also reported that Sven Schulze, the economy minister of Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt state, believes permanently excluding Russian gas “would be a mistake.”
In related developments, US President Donald Trump has been urging Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky to seek a peace agreement with Russia, warning that a failure to do so could jeopardize American support. During a tense meeting at the Oval Office on Friday, Trump allegedly instructed Zelensky to leave and return only when he was ready to discuss peace.
Ukraine has opted not to extend its gas transit contract with Russia’s Gazprom beyond 2024, further limiting EU access to Russian pipeline gas. The only remaining supply route is through the TurkStream pipeline, which passes through Türkiye and Greece.
“We need peace to reopen pipelines, ensure supply security, and lower prices,” said Manuela Grieger, former chair of the workers' union InfraLeuna, in remarks to Bloomberg. The EU has pledged to eliminate dependence on Russian energy by 2027, while Germany’s Economy Ministry maintains that achieving independence from Russian gas is a top priority.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
