The East German energy company VNG currently sees no possibility of a return to Russian pipeline gas supplies. A direct return to Russian supplies is currently "difficult to imagine", said CEO Ulf Heitmüller in Leipzig. Russia had stopped gas supplies unilaterally and in breach of contract. VNG therefore currently no longer has any supply relationships with Russia.
In response to the question of whether Russian gas could be an option again after a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, Heitmüller clarified that although there is a lot of speculation about this, there is no reliable information available. The question of a return does not currently arise for VNG.
Algeria instead of Russia: new ways of procuring gas
VNG has significantly diversified its gas procurement since 2022. Among other things, supply contracts with Norway have been extended. Gas from Algeria is now also playing a greater role. The aim is to ensure security of supply in the long term, regardless of individual countries of origin.
A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Economics also recently ruled out the possibility of future imports of Russian oil for the refinery in Schwedt, Brandenburg. There are no such aspirations. Germany had made great efforts to become independent of Russian energy. There are also no plans to import gas via existing pipelines.
Brandenburg's head of government Dietmar Woidke (SPD) had previously signaled that he would welcome a possible return to oil from Russia in Schwedt after peace in Ukraine. "I would of course be delighted if we could also return to normal economic relations with Russia."
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