Germany is reducing its dependence on Russian energy sources faster than anticipated. The country is planning to cut the imports of Russian oil by half by mid-summer and phase it out by the end of this year. This was announced by Robert Habeck, Germany’s vice-chancellor and minister of economy, reports The New York Times.
He said that Germany would cut by half the volumes of Russian coal in the coming weeks and would stop buying Russian gas by mid-2024.
“We have made intensive efforts in recent weeks, together with all relevant stakeholders, to import less fossil energy from Russia and broaden the supply base,” Mr. Habeck said.
Speaking at a news conference in Berlin after presenting the report on German energy security, the minister said that the shift from Russian gas was happening at an “insane pace.”
“Every supply contract that is terminated hurts Putin,” he said.
On March 25, the USA and the EU announced the moves to help Europe break its dependence on Russian oil and gas.
On March 19, Poland proposed to the European Union to impose a complete trade embargo on Russia.