The Audio Long Read From the archive: ‘We were all wrong’: how Germany got hooked on Russian energy
Sep 10, 2025
Explore Germany's historical dependence on Russian energy, revealing how Cold War tensions set the stage for today's dilemmas. Discover the complexities of Germany's energy policies and misjudgments that led to a dangerous reliance, particularly highlighted during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The discussion dives into key milestones, including the pivotal 1970 pipeline contract and the implications of the Nord Stream project. Unravel the intricate relationship between economic interests and geopolitical security, shedding light on the lessons learned from this energy dependency.
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Pipelines Became Political Bonds
- Germany's long-term gas deals were framed as political normalisation, not just commerce.
- Those pipeline ties later became arteries funding Russian aggression and limiting German options.
1970 Essen Pipeline Deal
- In 1970 German and Soviet leaders signed a major pipeline deal in Essen, backed by banks and government.
- A German negotiator asked for a government loan saying 'I don't do any somersaults without a net.'
Economic Dependence Became Strategic Leverage
- By 2020 Russia supplied over half of Germany's gas and a third of its oil, creating huge leverage.
- That dependence meant Germany paid billions that helped Russia finance its war in Ukraine.