Germany will completely end its dependence on Russian oil and gas, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Tuesday.
Speaking at an energy conference in Berlin, Baerbock condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin and said his war on Ukraine has changed geopolitics and Germany鈥檚 security assessments.
鈥淭his caused a lot of suffering for millions of people, but also made it clear for us that we must become fully independent from Russian fuel imports,鈥� she said.
Baerbock criticized previous German governments for not taking serious measures to reduce the country鈥檚 reliance on Russian gas, oil, and coal imports.
She said Russia鈥檚 illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 led to discussions in Europe about diversifying energy imports, but governments did not take any major steps.
鈥淎nd now we see the consequences of this in a very tragic way,鈥� she added.
Russia supplies 55% of Germany鈥檚 natural gas, 35% of its crude oil, and 45% of its coal.
The German government announced an ambitious plan last week to significantly reduce its longstanding energy dependence on Russia.
By Ayhan Simsek
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr