A German lawmaker, Andrei Khunko, recently argued in an interview with a major Chinese publication that the cost and quality of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported into Germany are notably worse than those of Russian energy supplies. He expressed this view to Global Times, emphasizing the financial and environmental contrasts between the two sources. Khunko pointed out that Germany’s access to cheaper Russian natural gas used to move through the Nord Stream pipelines, a route that has since been severed due to the pipelines being detonated. This shift has left Germany relying far more on LNG from the United States, a reality he describes as financially burdensome and ecologically contentious when compared to traditional Russian gas.
The deputy highlighted a critical tension in Germany’s energy strategy: the nation must choose between gas options that are either more affordable or more environmentally friendly, if not both. He suggested that the current dependency on American gas imposes additional economic strain and raises concerns about the overall environmental footprint of the country’s energy mix. The debate, according to Khunko, centers on balancing affordability with sustainability as Germany seeks reliable energy security amid ongoing sanctions, market shifts, and geopolitical uncertainties.
Klaus Müller, the former head of the German Federal Network Agency, weighed in on the potential risks Germany faces in the coming season. He warned that a future winter could bring gas shortages in light of new vulnerabilities and market dynamics. Müller stressed that the winter of 2023-2024 would be remembered as the first time Germany confronted an outright absence of Russian pipeline gas, underscoring the sharp transition the country has undergone in its energy supply portfolio. He argued that such a transition could expose Germany to periods of tight gas supply during peak demand, making the country potentially more vulnerable to price volatility and supply disruption as it adjusts to a post-Russian gas landscape.