Austria is unable to stop buying Russian natural gas this year, energy giant OMV chief Alfred Stern has said in response to calls for European states to impose an embargo on Russian supplies.
“The Russian gas embargo is impossible if we are not ready to accept its terrible consequences. Some countries could do it, but for Austria it is not possible this year… The exit of Russian gas has a price“, he said in an interview with Die Presse.
Stern explained that unlike some EU countries, Austria “is in a difficult position” when it comes to alternative energy sources, having “no access to the sea, no access to liquefied petroleum gas.”
Stern is not alone in speaking out about Austria’s dependence on Russian energy. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said earlier this week that he did not support any restrictions on Russia’s oil and gas supply to Europe.
“On our part, there should be a clear rejection of any idea to stop the import of Russian gas or Russian oil“, Nehammer said in an interview with OE24 TV.
Currently, gas storage facilities in Austria are only 13% full, according to media reports, citing industry sources.
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