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Berlin: What will be the next step in sanctions?

The German government seems to be sticking to its position on rejecting an embargo on gas imports to Russia, but there are different trends and pressures in German politics.

Berlin: What will be the next step in sanctions?

The next day, after the heinous crimes committed in Boutsa outside Kyiv by Russian soldiers against civilians, the pressure for stricter sanctions against Russia intensifies. The next step in imposing sanctions on many analysts is one: imposing an embargo on gas imports – but with extremely dire consequences for Europe and especially Germany, which is more than 50% dependent on Russian gas.

At today’s government briefing, however, Deputy Government spokesman Wolfgang Buchner was sparing, reiterating Chancellor Soltz’s position: “For now we will consider the next steps together with the European partners”, without answering questions embargo on russian gas. On the crucial issue of paying commissions in rubles, the German government remains clear, according to Buchner, that private law contracts will continue to be paid in euros or dollars.

Hubeck: Yes to a fifth package of sanctions, no to an embargo

For his part, Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy Robert Habeck in an interview with ZDF is in favor of a “fifth package of sanctions” and in fact “fast, maybe this week”, but only talking about sanctions against individuals, assets maybe for the banking sector as well. However, it continues to reject an immediate embargo, while presenting a new package for the support of renewable sources (and especially wind energy) based on energy dependence.

However, statements by Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht, who argued that the cessation of gas supplies should be discussed among EU ministers after the horrific images in Boutsa, but the government spokesman is currently trying to rebuild.

Different trends

However, according to estimates by the German media, different trends are currently being recorded within the German parliament, putting pressure on the government. For example, the Green MP Anton Hofreiter called through the Bavarian Radio for an energy embargo on Russia and new arms deliveries to Ukraine. On the other hand, such a possibility is rejected by the co-chair of the Social Democrats, Lars Klingbaile, who calls for more rationalism in the face of decisions based on emotion. Liberal youth are calling for an immediate energy embargo on Russia, as are the Social Democrat youth, who are calling for a halt to oil supplies first.

Finally, today, former Chancellor Angela Merkel made her own intervention through her representative, who condemned the atrocities in Butsa. However, she insisted on her decision not to join Ukraine in NATO in 2008, following criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Dimitra Kyranoudi

Source: Deutsche Welle

Source: Capital

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