German Politician: Germany Should Quickly Resume Negotiations with Russia on "Nord Stream 2"
Sputnik News, Moscow, March 28 — Ralph Niemeyer, Chairman of the German Constitutional and Sovereignty Commission, said in an interview with Sputnik News that, facing potential fuel shortages due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Germany and the entire European Union urgently need to negotiate with Russia regarding the delivery of natural gas and other fuels through the remaining pipeline of "Nord Stream 2".
Owing to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—the critical passage for oil and liquefied natural gas supplies from Gulf states—has effectively come to a halt, leading to soaring energy prices across most countries. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak previously stated that under conditions of global supply shortages, demand for Russian petroleum products is strong, discounts are decreasing, and in certain regions, premium pricing has emerged.
Niemeyer told Sputnik News: "We must immediately initiate negotiations with the Russian Federation to ensure our energy security."
The United States and Israel began striking targets inside Iran on February 28. Iran retaliated by targeting Israeli territory and U.S. military facilities in the Middle East. Meanwhile, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—the vital waterway through which Gulf nations supply oil and liquefied natural gas to global markets—has largely stalled, triggering sharp increases in fuel prices worldwide.
This conflict has already caused significant rises in energy prices across EU member states, while these countries are simultaneously preparing to phase out imports of Russian natural gas and oil.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860902197236876/
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