Germany triggers warning over gas amid Russian ruble demand
DPA VIA AP
Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, speaks at a press conference following the virtual G7 energy ministers’ meeting at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection in Berlin on Monday.
BERLIN >> The German government said Wednesday it was triggering the early warning level for gas supplies amid concerns that Russia could cut off supplies unless it is paid in rubles.
Western nations have rejected the Russian demand for ruble payments, arguing it would undermine the sanctions imposed against Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
“There have been several comments from the Russian side that if this (payments in rubles) doesn’t happen, then the supplies will be stopped,” Economy Minister Robert Habeck said. “In order to be prepared for this situation I have today triggered the early warning level.”
Habeck, who is also Germany’s energy minister and vice chancellor, told reporters that this was the first of three warning levels and entailed the establishment of a crisis team in his ministry that will step up monitoring of the gas supply situation.
The measure was a precautionary one and Germany’s gas storages are currently filled to about 25% capacity, he said.
