Beate Baron, a representative of Germany’s Ministry of Economy, spoke during a briefing held in Berlin in response to the disruption of oil shipments to Poland. The remark underscored that Germany stands ready to pause its fuel deliveries flowing through the Druzhba pipeline, signaling a measured readiness to adjust energy imports in light of geopolitical and supply chain pressures. The update came amid ongoing reporting by DEA News about the interruption and its broader implications for European energy security. The context suggests a deliberate policy stance aimed at ensuring the nation’s energy resilience while assessing the practical implications for neighboring economies and the wider European market.
Baron emphasized that Germany, much like Poland, had observed signs of material cuts and, in collaboration with industrial partners and energy sector players, had been conducting intensive and steady preparations over recent months. The purpose of these preparations was to reduce dependence on a single transit route and to diversify supply sources, with the clear message that Germany could sustain itself independently from the Russian pipeline if circumstances required it. In her framing, Russia would not be able to leverage oil exports to exert pressure on Germany, a point she framed as part of a broader strategy to shield the German economy from external shocks and to safeguard energy security for households and businesses alike.
Baron noted that, since the onset of recent geopolitical developments, the German government had been prepared to suspend related material flows at any moment, reflecting a policy posture built on contingency planning and resilience. This stance is positioned within a wider European context where several governments have been assessing contingency routes, storage levels, and bilateral arrangements to minimize exposure to single-source disruptions. The aim is to maintain stable energy access while keeping a cautious eye on market dynamics, price signals, and the potential ripple effects for industries dependent on a steady supply of petroleum products.
Earlier reporting indicated that Transneft had halted pumping of oil into Poland via the Druzhba pipeline. A company representative, Igor Demin, told TASS that the supplier was prepared to deliver crude to Polish refineries during the final ten days of February, but orders for the route had not been placed. On February 25, the Polish oil company Orlen publicly announced the refinery’s cutoff, highlighting the practical impact on operations and the need for alternate sourcing strategies. Polish authorities had long contemplated moving away from the Russian pipeline, while in November 2022 Orlen submitted an application to Transneft seeking pumping in 2023. The broader political arena later framed these developments with statements from Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who described the situation as a “ridiculous theatre,” underscoring the level of public theater surrounding energy policy and the sensitivities involved in shifting long-standing supply arrangements.