Nehammer in Berlin – Putin’s ruble threat: “Keep calm”

Austria and Germany are now getting even closer, and that too is a consequence of Vladimir Putin’s war: the neighborhood is becoming a community of destiny. Nehammer to his German counterpart Olaf Scholz: “We come from different political camps, but we agree on how we will face the challenges.”

There was plenty to talk about, and in the middle of the meeting, Putin’s decree broke out, according to which natural gas can really only be paid in rubles from Friday. The day before, the Kremlin chief had signaled exceptions to the German chancellor; that a diversion through Gazprom Bank could be found. She is exempt from the sanctions.

Putin’s sword of Damocles is meant to upset the West
The two chancellors soon agreed that the soup should not be eaten so hot when cooked. Above all, this harsh decree is intended to signal internal strength and continue to unsettle the West. Chancellor Nehammer therefore urged people not to get excited: “Let’s not judge the announcements, but the facts. OMV has not yet been notified and they have long-term contracts in euros until 2040.”

It’s solved: no embargo on gas from Russia
After his talks with his colleague Scholz, Nehammer also confirmed that there will be no embargo on Russian gas: “Sanctions only make sense if they weaken the person they have to hit and not the person who imposes them. Yes, it is a terrible feeling to be dependent “But the pain of the Austrian economy is nothing compared to the pain of the Ukrainians. My job is to ensure security of supply.” Independence from Russian gas is the need of the hour, it must be accelerated now.