Gas distance: Germany demanded to resume fuel purchases from the Russian Federation

The German government is receiving parliamentary appeals demanding the return of gas supplies from the Russian Federation, the Bundestag told Izvestia. MPs are concerned about the dependence on American LNG, whose share in imports has reached 96%. However, Berlin has so far refused to change its course and restart Nord Streams. Meanwhile, discussions have begun in Europe on options for resuming purchases of Russian fuel in the event of a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. Experts confirm that such a scenario is technically feasible, but Brussels needs to lift sanctions and withdraw lawsuits.

Germany has become dependent on American LNG

Concern is growing in Germany about the low level of gas reserves in storage facilities — as of February 10, they are only 26% full. This is significantly lower than the average for this season, which is caused by the use of gas due to the cold weather. Low inventory levels can lead to supply shortages, with prices potentially threatening to reach a two-year high.

At the same time, 96% of all LNG imports to Germany now come from the United States. Last year, Germany paid $3.2 billion for American gas, compared to $1.9 billion in 2024, the German press writes. The United States provides about one quarter (25-27%) of Germany's total gas needs.

The German government refuses to recognize the fact of dependence on the United States and resume gas supplies from Russia, Bundestag deputy and Alternative for Germany energy policy representative Steffen Kotre told Izvestia.

— These aspects were discussed in the Bundestag as part of requests to the federal government. However, in its responses, it made it clear that it does not recognize any dependence on the United States, which is related to energy policy," the politician said.

According to him, a sharp increase in imports of liquefied natural gas from the United States entails new risks of unilateral dependence on energy supplies. The LNG currently being purchased is significantly more expensive than pipeline gas, which was previously supplied in large volumes from Russia, which negatively affects costs and competitiveness.

In addition to the economic consequences, excessive dependence on the United States is also dangerous in political terms. Against the background of trade disputes and the crisis over Greenland, there is a risk of using gas supplies as leverage. Washington may restrict LNG exports if necessary, for example, to keep prices low on the domestic market. In this scenario, Germany will face serious difficulties and will be forced to look for an alternative, Igor Yushkov, a leading analyst at the National Energy Security Fund and an expert at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, told Izvestia.

Will Germany return to Russian gas purchases

It should be recalled that Germany began to gradually abandon Russian energy resources after the start of its development in February 2022. In September of the same year, as a result of sabotage, pipeline gas supplies via the Nord Stream gas pipeline were stopped. Then Berlin built several floating terminals for receiving LNG and began to look for new trading partners. At the same time, one of the branches of Nord Stream 2 has been preserved and can be used to restart supplies.

"Currently, Germany does not have specific, serious political plans or a parliamentary majority for the restoration or reactivation of the remaining Nord Stream gas pipeline as a gas supply route," Cotre said.

Matthias Mosdorf, another member of the Bundestag from the AFD, also confirmed that "Germany's energy policy continues to prioritize the diversification and development of alternative energy sources to increase energy security and reduce geopolitical vulnerability."

So much for gas: Europe increases purchases of Russian LNG

Supplies via Turkish pipelines have already exceeded their design capacity.

According to political analyst Alexander Rahr, Germany will return to purchasing Russian energy resources after peace is established in Ukraine. But this will require a change of government and protests within the German ruling elites. So far, the supporters of restarting energy cooperation with the Russian Federation include AFG and some business associations. The public is also inclined towards dialogue: 58% of respondents support direct negotiations between the leaders of the two countries.

— Purchases from Germany will start after several other EU countries in the southern and eastern parts of Europe resume supplies from Russia. But Germany will no longer be a "hub" for the distribution of Russian gas in Europe," Rahr told Izvestia.

In his opinion, Berlin cannot yet avoid dependence on American LNG. However, the situation may change dramatically if Russia and the United States cooperate in the global energy sector, including on the European continent. Last year, Reuters reported that representatives of Russia and the United States discussed the resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe.

Prospects for energy cooperation between Russia and the EU

However, for the time being, the European Union remains committed to abandoning Russian energy sources. Literally on February 3, the EU's total ban on the import of our gas came into force. LNG supplies will be stopped from January 2027, and pipeline gas supplies will be stopped from September of the same year. In January 2026, the United States supplied a record 60% of the total volume of LNG imported by the EU, although five years ago this share did not exceed 20%.

Against the background of the Americans' claims to Greenland, the EU leadership realized that such dependence gives Washington a tool for blackmail. "There is growing concern, which I share, that we risk replacing one dependency with another," said European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen. So far, Brussels sees an increase in supplies from the Persian Gulf countries and Canada as a way out.

At the same time, the potential resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe is being discussed in public and political circles, especially in connection with a potential peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, Steffen Kotre, Alternative for Germany's energy policy representative, told Izvestia. Slovakia and Hungary are trying to challenge the bans on Russian energy imports in the EU court. In fact, they remain the only major buyers of pipeline gas from the Russian Federation. However, the EU flagships are still determined to refuse to cooperate.

"Cheap Russian energy ended in 2022. And there is no way back. And this is the first point that should be taken into account," French President Emmanuel Macron said on February 11.

Igor Yushkov believes that if the conflict in Ukraine ends, the pressure on European politicians to resume Russian gas supplies will increase. If there is political will, they are quite possible, since the infrastructure for this is available: in addition to the Nord Streams, pumping is possible via the Yamal–Europe gas pipeline and through Ukraine. However, to do this, Brussels will have to lift sanctions and withdraw lawsuits against Russian companies. The Russian Federation has repeatedly stressed that it is ready to resume gas supplies to Europe.