**BERLIN**
The German government said Wednesday that there is no initiative within the European Union to resume natural gas imports from Russia.
Rising energy costs and increasing competition from Asia for energy supply have led European businesses to exert more pressure on the EU to reconsider Russian gas imports.
According to information obtained from sources within the German Chancellery, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to announce a plan soon to "completely end" the purchase of all Russian fossil fuels, including natural gas and oil.
For this reason, the German government sees no reason for a shift within the bloc toward resuming Russian natural gas imports.
Since the Russia-Ukraine war began on Feb. 24, 2022, uncertainties in the supply of natural gas and oil have caused instability in energy markets.
Following US President Donald Trump's remarks on peace in Ukraine, expectations have risen in Europe—particularly among German businesses struggling with high energy costs—that Russian gas might soon be imported again.
Additionally, German media has reported on possible US-Russia cooperation regarding the use of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which runs through the Baltic Sea but has never been operational.
In 2022, Russia shut down the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which was the main supplier of gas to Europe.
Germany and the EU began gradually halting Russian gas and oil imports following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022.
Before the war in Ukraine, Germany imported more than half of its natural gas, 34% of its crude oil, and over 50% of its coal from Russia.
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