The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action ordered state import terminals to refuse deliveries of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). The order was issued to protect public interests and called on the operator Deutsche Energy Terminal to not accept the Russian LNG.
Germany used to be the largest importer of Russian LNG in Europe before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. When Putin cut pipeline gas supplies to Germany and other European countries, the German government accelerated the search for alternatives and built a series of terminals to import LNG by sea. However, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action noted that allowing such supplies would contradict the main purpose of creating the terminals, that is ensuring the independence of Germany and the EU from Russian LNG.
Although the US and the UK introduced a ban on Russian LNG, the EU continues importing this type of fuel, and 20% of LNG supplies come from Russia to Europe. Most of Russian LNG goes to France, Spain, and Belgium, according to long-term contracts the companies have to stick to unless a total ban is imposed.
Furthermore, the state-owned energy company of Germany called Sefe has a long-term contract to supply LNG from Russia’s Yamal plant, while almost all LNG goes to a terminal in France, entering the European gas pipeline system.
