Brandenburg PM eyes Russian oil return post-Ukraine peace
Dietmar Woidke, the Prime Minister of Brandenburg, would gladly see Russian oil returned to the Schwedt refinery near the Polish border, but only if there is peace in Ukraine.
Last week, the employees' council and the supervisory board of the PCK refinery in Schwedt called for lifting the embargo on Russian oil. They sent a letter to the governments of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Saxony-Anhalt, urging them to lift the embargo on Russian oil and gas.
They cite the company's difficult economic situation and the risk of job losses as reasons. These demands are supported by the mayor of Schwedt on the Oder, as well as one of the city councilors.
Return to "normal relations" with Russia
According to Rbb, Berlin and Brandenburg's regional broadcaster, Dietmar Woidke (SPD), the Prime Minister of Brandenburg, would welcome the return of Russian oil to the PCK refinery. He believes this could occur only after the end of the war in Ukraine.
As quoted by Rbb, Woidke emphasized securing PCK's future and highlighted its significant role in Brandenburg. He also said he would welcome a return to normal economic relations with Russia.
Who are the sanctions hurting more?
The Prime Minister of Brandenburg notes that the oil embargo was a federal decision accompanied by EU-level sanctions. It was intended to help persuade Russia to achieve peace in Ukraine, but Woidke says this goal has not yet been achieved. He adds that the German government should investigate whether these sanctions harm Germany—in this case, Schwedt—more than Russia.
According to Rbb, Brandenburg's Minister of Economy, Daniel Keller (SPD), it cannot be ruled out that Russian oil may once again flow to PCK. However, first, there must be peace in Ukraine.
Where does the oil for Schwedt come from?
The refinery in Schwedt supplies a large part of Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and western Poland with gasoline, heating oil, kerosene, and other products. Before the war in Ukraine, it processed only Russian oil supplied via the Druzhba pipeline. After the German government stopped using Russian oil, the PCK refinery in Schwedt switched to other supply sources. It is currently supplied with oil from Kazakhstan and through crude transports arriving at the port in Rostock, including from Norway and Libya. According to previous information from German media, the PCK refinery is utilizing 80 percent of its capacity.
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