The German economy has responded with relief to the agreement in principle between Russia and Ukraine on gas supplies to the EU. That was a great success, said the head of the East Committee of the German economy, Oliver Hermes. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier, who had supported the talks, made a similar statement. "An important step has been taken," he said.
Now the details should be clarified, said Hermes. Negotiations moderated by the EU continued on Friday after talks on the part of all sides in the Federal Ministry of Economics in Berlin had brought about the breakthrough on Thursday. The Federal Government hopes that this will also make the efforts for peace in eastern Ukraine more dynamic.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said a deal with the government in Kiev is being sought that will benefit both sides. The most recent negotiations were specifically about the duration of the new contract, the volume and prices. In the evening, the RIA news agency quoted the Russian Vice Prime Minister Dmitri Kosak as saying that the transit agreement was to run for five years. Russia and Ukraine are expected to sign the contract before the end of the year.
USA to prepare sanctions against Nord Stream 2
"The transit through Ukraine remains an important building block for securing the European energy supply," said East Committee chief Hermes. "This should also be recognized in the USA and the illegal sanctioning of Nord Stream 2 should be averted. Europe needs both gas transit through Ukraine and additional gas quantities via the Baltic Sea pipeline for a safe, inexpensive and diversified gas supply."
US President Donald Trump plans to enact a law before Christmas that will sanction companies involved in Nord Stream 2. According to media reports, Trump's signature under a corresponding legislative package was still expected for Friday. Chancellor Angela Merkel said this week that she was not planning any countermeasures, but talks on the matter. Russian gas is to be delivered to Europe via the almost finished Baltic Sea pipeline, Trump wants Germany to buy more liquefied gas from the USA.
Germany is heavily dependent on gas supplies from abroad due to the phase-out of nuclear power and coal-based electricity generation. The Gazprom group, controlled by the Kremlin, covers more than 36 percent of Europe's gas needs. The route through Ukraine is particularly important. The previous supply agreement expires at the end of the year.