German authorities announced the introduction of a plan in case Russia cuts off gas supplies
German Minister for Economy and Climate Protection Robert Habeck announced the approval of an emergency plan in case of an energy problem from Russia. He made the corresponding statement at a press conference in Berlin.
“There were a number of statements from Russia that if this [оплаты за энергоносители в рублях] not consumed, that is, the supply will be consumption. To prepare for such a situation, I today announced the first level of cuts under the gas directive,” Habek said on March 30 (quote according to TASS).
According to him, at the first request of three possible in the department of a large criminal headquarters.
The German minister also added that at the moment, “full supply of all gas consumers in the country has been ensured.” “There is enough gas for the markets,” he said. At the same time, Khabek noted, “we must strengthen our precautions to be ready in case of an escalation from Russia.”
The minister said that Germany would not be provided with natural gas supplies in rubles, thereby violating existing contracts for the supply of energy. He recalled that earlier the G7 countries strengthened a similar opinion.
According to explanation On the agency’s website, a proper gas-related contingency plan has three levels of escalation: sudden, warning, and exceptional. The first stage comes into effect when there are serious and reliable signs that may occur.
On March 28, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow was working on the details of offering gas to unfriendly countries for rubles, but if Europe refused to pay in Russian currency, it did not intend to engage in “pan-European profitability.” “The fact that we will not supply gas for free is unequivocal. This can be said with absolute certainty,” he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also instructed the Central Bank, the government and Gazprom to report by March 31 on measures to convert payments for gas supplies into rubles.
On March 23, at a meeting with the head of state, a message was received that the country would transfer payments for gas supplies to Europe into rubles in the near future. According to him, the collective West has crossed out confidence in their currencies.