- Servant of the wagon retaliates against Russian oil claim criticisms
Chairwoman of BSW Sahra Wagenknecht persists in advocating for Russian oil import for PCK refinery in Schwedt, despite escalating critiques. She pointed out to the German Press Agency that the sanction policy has been ineffective and is a major blunder. "Additional EU countries are still purchasing Russian pipeline oil," she stated.
Wagenknecht earlier declared that if her party secured a role in the subsequent government following September 22's Brandenburg state election, they would push for the provision of Russian oil to the PCK refinery in Schwedt. However, Wagenknecht won't be running in Brandenburg. In the most recent poll, BSW stood at 17%.
"A fresh beginning for Schwedt and Brandenburg's economic strategy is essential," Wagenknecht emphasized. "Rather than wasting 400 million euros on an unnecessary and prolonged pipeline expansion between Rostock and Schwedt, the oil embargo should be lifted. Instead, that money should be directed towards the PCK Schwedt site and the area."
Brandenburg's Minister of Economics, Jörg Steinbach (SPD), rejected the request. "The embargo measures are integral to the entire European response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine," he informed the Tagesspiegel on Saturday. "Hence, they are not open for negotiation." He conceded that a stable supply scenario for Schwedt could be guaranteed without Russian oil.
State Parliamentary Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Economics, Michael Kellner (Greens), from Uckermark, argued: "Russian oil for Schwedt would result in the refinery's bankruptcy and direct funding of Putin's war against Ukraine by the regional inhabitants."
Green parliamentary group leader Benjamin Raschke warned that returning to Russian oil would entail a loss of 400 million euros in federal funding for the region and potentially endanger job security.
Majority shares remained under the supervision of a trustee
The PCK refinery in Brandenburg provides fuel for northeastern regions. After Russia's attack on Ukraine, the federal government halted the import of Russian oil at the start of 2023, shifting to alternative sources. Since then, the utilization rate has not been reached as it was prior to the Ukraine war. To transport more crude oil, the pipeline from Rostock to Schwedt is planned to be "enhanced".
The facility is controlled by German subsidiaries of the Russian conglomerate Rosneft, holding approximately 54%. In September 2022, the federal government placed these under trusteeship due to supply security concerns. The Federal Network Agency has jurisdiction, although it's not the owner. The trusteeship is initially valid until September 10.
Despite the German government's decision to halt the import of Russian oil and shift to alternative sources after Russia's attack on Ukraine, Chairwoman of BSW Sahra Wagenknecht continues to advocate for the resumption of Russian oil imports for the PCK refinery in Schwedt, located in Germany. Wagenknecht's party has indicated that if they gain influence in the subsequent German government, they would push for this policy change.
