The German Minister of Economy, Robert Habek complained about the "astronomical" prices demanded by Germany's "friendly" countries, primarily the United States, for gas deliveries, at a time when they want to replace supplies from Russia.

"Some countries, even friendly ones, demand astronomical prices," said Robert Habeck in an interview with the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung newspaper.

"It is a problem," said the minister and called on the European Commission to "talk" with these countries.

After the invasion of Ukraine, Russia first significantly reduced the supply of gas to Germany, and in early September, it completely stopped it. Before the conflict, Germany imported 55 percent of its gas from Russia.

To guarantee its energy security and save industry, which is a major consumer of gas, Berlin had to diversify its sources of supply and significantly increase its purchase of liquefied natural gas, which is much cheaper to import.

The country – like the entire continent – ​​turned to the US, and European LNG imports jumped from 28 to 45 percent between 2021 and 2022.

Habeck specifically targeted American suppliers.

"The US turned to us when the price of oil exploded. I think that such solidarity will be useful for amortization of the price of gas," said the minister.

At the same time, Berlin is calling on the European Union to coordinate the purchase of gas to reduce the price.