Robert Habeck activated the early warning level of the gas emergency plan

Created: 03/30/2022, 09:18

By: Daniel Dillman

Robert Habeck responds to Russian threats to restrict gas supplies to Germany.

© Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

Germany and Russia are at odds over the Ukraine war.

That could endanger the gas supply of the Federal Republic.

Berlin – Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck* (Greens*) has declared the early warning level of the gas emergency plan.

Habeck announced this on Wednesday morning in Berlin.

This step is precautionary.

He was necessary because of the ongoing dispute with Russia over the Ukraine war*, deliveries of Russian gas were no longer as necessary.

However, Habeck made direct efforts to allay any fears about supply bottlenecks caused by the Ukraine war.

"It is important to emphasize that security of supply is guaranteed," said the Federal Minister of Economics in Berlin.

Nevertheless, one must "increase precautionary measures in order to be prepared for an escalation on the part of Russia."

Dispute over gas from Russia: will Moscow continue to deliver?

A crisis team came together when the early warning level was declared.

"The crisis team analyzes and evaluates the supply situation so that - if necessary - further measures can be taken to increase the security of supply.

The federal government is doing everything it can to continue to guarantee security of supply in Germany.”

The most important thing in Germany now is to save gas.

That is why Robert Habeck appealed primarily to consumers.

Every kilowatt hour of energy saved helps, said the Green politician on Wednesday in Berlin.

The proclamation of the first stage of the gas emergency plan is a precautionary decision.

The EU Commission has been informed.

Robert Habeck wants to take threats from Russia about gas deliveries seriously

Robert Habeck justified the step with ongoing threats from Russia in the wake of the Ukraine war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently indicated that he would only accept Russian rubles as payment for deliveries of Russian gas to Western Europe.

Germany must therefore be prepared for limited business relations with the Russian Federation.

However, Habeckl emphasized: "We will not accept any breach of the supply contracts."

Russian gas reaches Germany primarily via the recently commissioned Nord Stream 2* pipeline.

Until shortly before the start of the armed conflict in the Ukraine conflict*, Germany wanted to increase the amount of gas imports through the controversial pipeline.

Alternatives are now being considered.

(dil with dpa/AFP)