Bloomberg: Eastern German industries hope for Russian gas resumption If Ukraine war ends

Some German industries, particularly in the eastern regions, are already preparing for the potential return of Russian gas to Europe, driven by US President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker an end to the war in Ukraine.

Over the past three years, Europe has worked to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, a shift that has hit Germany — Europe’s largest economy — the hardest. German industry was built on the foundation of cheap Russian gas, and soaring energy prices have stifled growth, forcing some manufacturers to relocate production abroad.

For Christian Günther, head of one of Germany’s largest chemical industrial sites, reviving sectors like his is only possible with access to affordable Russian gas. In an interview with Bloomberg, he stressed that a strong German economy is essential for supporting Ukraine’s future recovery, per Caliber.Az.

“If peace is achieved, then we must of course ensure that the other damage caused by this conflict is repaired as well,” said Günther, managing director of the Leuna chemical park in eastern Germany. Returning to Russian gas supplies, he argued, “would be the logical consequence.”

Should President Trump succeed in negotiating an end to the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, gas flows to Europe that were previously cut could resume. However, whether such a move is politically feasible remains uncertain, as European heads of state will ultimately decide if and how to restore Russian energy imports.

Options for resuming Russian gas deliveries include restoring transit via Ukraine or utilizing the undamaged Nord Stream pipeline under the Baltic Sea, which directly connects Russia and Germany.

There is growing political backing for reconsidering Russian energy imports. Saxony-Anhalt’s Economy Minister, Sven Schulze, has indicated that a peace deal could shift perspectives on Russian gas.

“If we can achieve peace and build long-term trust that Europe is not threatened by Russia, we must also be open to discussing the future supply of Russian gas,” Schulze stated. “I think it would be wrong to permanently rule out the resumption of gas supplies.”

His remarks are notable, given that he belongs to the centre-right CDU/CSU party—also the political home of Friedrich Merz, a leading candidate for Germany’s next chancellor, who is currently discussing a major defence package to support Ukraine.

Germany’s Economy Ministry declined to comment on the prospect of resuming Russian gas flows.

“Independence from Russian gas is of strategic importance to the German government in terms of security policy and is a top priority,” a ministry spokesperson stated.

Jonathan Stern, a distinguished research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, noted that the return of some Russian gas could lower energy prices in Europe, at least until increased liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies become available from 2026.

“Longer term, it would depend on what kind of peace agreement is reached and how well both sides adhered to it,” Stern explained.

However, resuming Russian gas shipments is not a simple process. Many of Gazprom’s former European clients, including Germany’s Uniper SE and Austria’s OMV AG, have already severed ties with Moscow. Europe has also invested heavily in LNG infrastructure and signed new agreements with alternative suppliers, such as the US and the UAE.

The European Union remains committed to phasing out Russian energy entirely by 2027 and is set to unveil a roadmap next month detailing how to achieve this goal.

“While some European buyers may explore short-term transit solutions, EU policymakers have made energy independence from Russia a strategic priority, and resolving this contradiction will not be easy,” said Tatiana Mitrova, a researcher at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.

Even if a peace deal is reached, negotiations between Gazprom and Ukrainian authorities over new transit agreements could take months. Any potential resumption of Russian gas deliveries would hinge on Kyiv’s approval.

Germany’s economic downturn is becoming increasingly severe, raising concerns about long-term industrial decline. Manuela Grieger, former chair of the InfraLeuna workers’ union, which oversees infrastructure at the Leuna chemical park, is among those advocating for a return to Russian gas.

“We need peace,” Grieger emphasized. “We really need peace so that the pipelines open up again, security of supply improves, and we have reasonable prices.”

By Tamilla Hasanova