BERLIN, April 4. /TASS/. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner believes that a sharp refusal of Russian gas would harm the European Union more than Russia, since this gas is currently difficult to replace. He said this on Monday in Luxembourg.
When asked whether the EU should include a ban on the supply of gas and oil from the Russian Federation in the fifth package sanctions he replied:
"Our goal is to become independent of energy supplies from Russia as soon as possible. We must provide for serious sanctions. But gas is indispensable in the short term, we would hurt ourselves more."
Lindner also called for "stopping all economic relations with Russia" as soon as possible.
He spoke in favor of increasing pressure on Russia, "but not weakening ourselves." Lindner added that in the discussion about independence from Russian resources, a line should be drawn between gas, oil and coal.
As Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated, Germany will be able to eliminate dependence on oil and coal imports from Russia within a year, but gas will take longer. But he noted that the goal would be achieved faster than many people think. The German authorities have repeatedly said that they cannot afford to impose an immediate embargo on the supply of Russian energy resources.
In March, the European Commission proposed to the EU countries a plan to reduce dependence on Russian gas supplies by 67% by the end of this year due to the conflict in Ukraine.