Today in Berlin, tens of thousands of climate activists were expected to protest outside the Hotel Adlon, the site of news-grabbing multiple protest actions in recent days. As Adlon is hosting the World LNG Summit, Ukraine-based clean energy and peace group Razom We Stand joins the protests to condemn Germany and other European countries’ ongoing import of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).. The event drew sharp criticism for hosting attendees like Russian gas giant Novatek and Belgian company Fluxys, which facilitate the transport of Russian LNG into Europe. Their presence at this summit was not only tone-deaf but deeply troubling.
Despite public commitments to phase out Russian gas, Germany continues to indirectly fund Russia’s war machine by indirectly importing Russian LNG through neighbouring countries. Data shows that up to 6% of Germany’s 2023 gas consumption originated from Russian LNG, transported via transit hubs in neighbouring countries. This dependency has contributed to the €207 billion Russia earned from European fossil fuel sales since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.
As a keynote speaker at the demonstration, Dr Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director of Razom We Stand, wrote the following: “Allowing companies like Novatek and Fluxys to network at a fossil fuel industry event in Berlin while Ukraine endures daily Russian missile attacks is beyond tone-deaf—it’s an insult to the principles of justice and solidarity. Germany has been a critical ally of Ukraine in many respects, but the reality we confront here is stark. While Germany has declared that it no longer imports Russian LNG directly, the truth is sadly much darker. These companies profit and give themselves awards, while Russia reaps billions from its fossil fuel exports—revenues that directly fund its war machine. Let us be clear: every euro spent on Russian LNG fuels more destruction, suffering, and war. The solutions are here—renewable energy and energy efficiency. Now, we only need the political will to speed up the changes already in progress.”
Germany’s state energy firm SEFE still imports Arctic Russian LNG under long-term contracts. This gas, landed and regasified in France, flows across interconnected European pipelines into Germany. Yet Germany is more than well-positioned to embargo Russian LNG entirely. With 65% of its net electricity production now renewable and EU gas storage facilities over 95% full, Germany can meet its energy needs sustainably and securely, without reliance on Russian energy that fuels Putin’s war machine and adds to the devastation we see daily in Ukraine. Renewable energy is already cheaper than traditional fossil fuels, meaning a transition away from LNG can be economically advantageous and create jobs.
Razom We Stand’s recent campaign calling for Germany to fully embargo Russian LNG by the end of 2024 has garnered significant public support. The campaign mobilised 621 letters sent to Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his cabinet, urging immediate action to end indirect funding of Russia’s war.
If words of solidarity with Ukraine are to mean anything, Germany must match them with actions. Hosting Russian energy firms like Novatek at a prominent industry event in Berlin sends the wrong message—that profit trumps principles.
Today’s protest serves as a reminder that words of solidarity with Ukraine must be matched with decisive actions. By banning Russian LNG imports, Germany can lead Europe toward a future of renewable energy independence and peace.
ENDS
