Merz Links Germany’s Energy Crisis to Loss of Russian Gas Supplies
Dragon Media News Desk
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has linked his country’s prolonged energy crisis to the absence of gas supplies from Russia.
Speaking during ZDF’s “Summer Interview,” Merz indicated that the loss of affordable and stable energy supplies had placed significant pressure on Germany’s economy and energy prices. The interview was broadcast on July 19 as part of ZDF’s political programme Berlin Direkt.
Merz said Germany was also facing a difficult situation in its relations with the United States. Under President Donald Trump, he said, Washington was no longer supporting NATO and its European partners to the same extent as in the past.
His remarks suggested that Europe was increasingly being required to assume greater responsibility for its own security and defence. Merz has previously argued that Europe must strengthen its strategic capabilities in response to the changing US role.
His comments on Russian gas have been interpreted as an acknowledgement of the impact that changes in energy supplies have had on Germany’s industrial competitiveness, production costs and economic slowdown.
However, Merz did not propose resuming direct gas imports from Russia. His remarks appeared primarily focused on identifying one of the major factors behind Germany’s energy difficulties.
The European Commission has also warned that renewed increases in fossil-fuel prices, driven by the latest crisis in the Middle East, are placing additional energy pressure on European economies.
