Germany on Tuesday reiterated its opposition to energy sanctions on Russia, warning that it could have negative consequences for European economies.
Speaking at a joint news conference with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said European countries should carefully asses the suggested measures.
“Sanctions should have an effect on the aggressor, but at the same time, we should make sure that they have minimal repercussions for our economies, and we should be able to uphold them,” he said.
Scholz underlined that not only Germany, but also many other EU countries still need to buy their gas, oil and coal from Russia, as they have no other alternatives in the short term.
“But we have decided to become independent, as soon as possible, from imports of coal, gas and oil from Russia. And we’re working on this at full speed,” he added.
The German chancellor said the EU countries have already imposed the “harshest ever sanctions" against Russia last month, with strong economic and financial measures.
“And these sanctions have started to show their impact on the Russia’s economy, and it will become more dramatic every day,” he stressed.
