Scholz: Germany will need a transition period to ban Russia from coal

The EU has imposed a coal embargo, but with a quarterly suspension period, to give member states time to find alternative suppliers.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Germany will need to use the full four-month phasing-out period to impose a ban on Russian coal , which is under the sanctions of the European Union, reports Reuters .

EU ambassadors have agreed on a fifth package of sanctions against Russia, including a coal embargo, with a 120-day suspension period to give member states time to find alternative suppliers.

“We will need to use this period,” Scholz told a news conference after the meeting. with the leaders of the 16 federal states of Germany.

Read also: Negotiations between Ukraine and Germany on security guarantees continue in confidence – Scholz

“If (succeeds – ed.) faster, that's fine. But we'll need time, and companies will need it too, although they have been looking for new suppliers for a long time, “he added.

A report from Germany's economy ministry prepared for parliament earlier this week warned that the country would likely have to shut down some of its power plants if it stopped importing Russian goods immediately. coal. An immediate ban on Russian coal imports will lead to a “shortage of coal in a few weeks.”

size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; “> Yesterday we reported that the G7 countries have banned investment in” key areas “of the Russian economy. We have also announced new sanctions against the Russian military-industrial complex and personal restrictions against representatives Russian elite and their families.

Based on materials: ZN.ua

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