Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) has defended her decision to rely heavily on Russian gas for Germany’s energy supply. With the planned gradual phase-out of nuclear power and coal, natural gas was necessary for a transitional period until a comprehensive supply of CO₂-free forms of energy was available, Merkel said in Lisbon on Thursday.
It was “very rational and understandable” to purchase Russian gas. Because this was cheaper than liquid gas from the USA, Saudi Arabia or Qatar.
In addition, Russia was “a reliable energy supplier even during the Cold War (…)”, Merkel said at a press conference in the Portuguese capital. Although she “never believed that there was such a thing as change through trade”, “there is definitely a connection through trade. And in that respect I don’t regret any decisions at all, I believe that from the perspective at the time it was the right thing to do.”
Russia’s “brutal attack” on Ukraine changed the situation. “It’s a turning point,” said the former Chancellor. “Of course the new government has to deal with that. And she does.”
Merkel spoke at a press conference announcing the winners of the Portuguese Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. The ex-Chancellor chaired the jury.
