This week, global energy elites gathered in Berlin for the World LNG Summit, which awards and celebrates liquefied natural gas and the industry players who profit from it. Among the attendees were Russian gas giant Novatek and Fluxys, the Belgian company instrumental in transporting Russian LNG to European markets—including Germany. Their presence at this summit was not only tone-deaf but deeply troubling.
In response, Razom We Stand, joined by hundreds of like-minded climate activists, marched through the streets of Berlin on Tuesday to protest outside the Hotel Adlon, the venue of the World LNG Summit. The demonstration called out Germany and other European countries for continuing to import Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). Hundreds of protesters held banners with powerful messages such as “No Prize for Destruction: End Russian LNG Now,” demanding immediate action to end this destructive practice that funds Putin’s brutal war in Ukraine.
Our Founder and Executive Director, Svitlana Romanko, gave an inspiring speech at the counter-demonstration: “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, a nation that has continually pledged its solidarity with Ukraine, continues to indirectly import Russian LNG through neighbouring countries like France, Spain and Belgium. In 2023, Europe imported a total of 18.5 billion cubic meters of Russian LNG and since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, it has earned over EUR 207 billion from fossil fuel sales to Europe. These revenues directly fuel the war machine that rains bombs and bullets on Ukrainian civilians daily. For politicians to profess support for Ukraine while allowing Russian energy giants to operate and network on their soil is hypocrisy at its most egregious.
Despite Germany’s public commitments to end reliance on Russian fossil fuels, its state energy firm SEFE continues to import Russian Arctic LNG under long-term contracts. This gas lands in French ports, where it is regasified and flows into Germany via Europe’s interconnected pipeline network. Researchers estimate that up to 6% of Germany’s 2023 gas consumption originated from Russian LNG.
This indirect trade not only funds Russia’s war but undermines European energy security. It exposes Germany and the EU to the geopolitical risks of Russian energy dependency, even as the Kremlin exploits energy revenues to wage its brutal war in Ukraine.
Germany does not need to continue to import Russian LNG. The German government is already actively working to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. In 2023, 65% of Germany’s net electricity production came from renewable energy sources due to huge strides in renewable energy production. This is on top of the fact that European gas storage facilities are filled to more than 95%, meaning Europe and Germany are already set up for the coming winter.
Experts agree that Germany can meet its energy needs without Russian gas with its advances in renewable energy production, energy efficiency, and alternative LNG sources from Qatar, the US, and Norway. This progress demonstrates that the country has all the means necessary for a complete embargo of Russian energy resources, including liquefied natural gas. Renewable energy is already cheaper than traditional fossil fuels, meaning a transition away from LNG can be economically advantageous and create jobs.
A study by the DIW Economic Research Institute confirms that Europe, including heavily dependent nations like Austria and Hungary, could entirely phase out Russian LNG. Germany has the tools to lead this transition, ensuring a secure and sustainable energy future while truly supporting Ukraine’s fight for freedom.
If words of solidarity with Ukraine are to mean anything, Germany must match them with actions. Hosting Russian energy firms like Novatek at a major industry event in Berlin sends the wrong message—that profit trumps principles.
Germany can and must do better. Banning Russian LNG imports outright is not only feasible but essential to aligning its energy policies with its stated commitment to peace, climate action, and international security. Each euro spent on Russian gas fuels more missiles, more suffering, and more devastation in Ukraine. Ukraine needs full comprehensive sanctions against Russian gas, both pipeline and LNG. Only such a mechanism has the power to curtail Russia’s war budget.
As Germany faces political uncertainty following the collapse of its three-party coalition recently, the nation stands at a critical crossroads. It must resist slipping into far-right, pro-Putin traps that would compromise both its democratic values and its commitment to global security.
Germany has already made remarkable progress in its energy transition. Now is the time to take the final step: close the door on Russian LNG for good. By doing so, Germany can lead Europe toward a fossil-free future while standing firmly on the side of justice and peace.
The world is watching. It’s time for Germany to act.
