Effects of the war on construction costs and interest rates?

I didn’t mean to say that. But I wouldn’t necessarily expect absolute supply shortages now – prices will still rise due to scarcity.

However, our government would have to at least somewhat relieve companies and private households, and I think that will also be the case.

As I said, nothing can be ruled out – with Putin currently going crazy and taking no heed of losses (I still believe that he is harming his own country the most). But I can’t imagine that oil and gas will no longer be delivered. Aside from the economic damage to Russia, the rest of the world still has the more powerful instruments up its sleeve (apart from nuclear weapons – but he probably won’t seriously consider those, except as a deterrent) – the isolation from the economy and payment systems.

I did not mean to say that. But I would not necessarily expect absolute supply shortages now - prices will rise due to scarcity anyway.

However, our government would have to at least somewhat relieve businesses and private households, and I think that will also be the case.

As I said, nothing can be ruled out - seeing how Putin is currently going crazy and takes no heed of losses (I still believe that he is harming his own country the most). But I cannot imagine that oil and gas will no longer be delivered. Apart from the economic damage to Russia, the rest of the world still has the more powerful instruments in reserve (except for nuclear weapons - but I doubt he would seriously consider them, except as deterrence) - isolation from the economy and payment systems.

China and some other countries gladly take Russian gas. We are not the only buyers.

I would assume that the possible consequences and their cost have been considered and deemed acceptable. Ultimately, Europe alone will not be able to create sufficient alternatives to Russian gas within a tight three quarters of a year. You don’t just change a supply chain like that, we should have noticed that plenty over the past two years. Building LNG terminals and storage facilities in series takes time. Corresponding tankers as well. Appropriate loading capacities in producing countries are also necessary. The production capacities for natural gas in Europe are very limited and the development of new deposits is probably uneconomical as the use of natural gas is to be reduced mid-term everywhere ("Klimaschutz"). Presumably, that will also take more than a few months. At the same time, we have maneuvered ourselves into a situation in electricity production where we are phasing out our baseload nuclear and coal power plants and have to fill the gaps between sun and wind with gas power plants. While simultaneously driving up electricity demand through electric cars and heating. In short: Russian gas will be indispensable next winter as well.

China and some other countries gladly take Russian gas. We are not the only buyers.

This is really just half-knowledge from my side – I’m absolutely no expert, but: If Russia wants to sell to other buyers, that won’t work unlimitedly overnight either. Appropriate negotiations have to be held, contracts concluded, and possibly infrastructure built or expanded here as well.

Be that as it may: It would be truly tragic if the government leaves its companies and citizens alone with this really unforeseeable and blameless situation.

China and some other countries are happy to take Russian gas. We are not the only buyers.

In China, gas is only marginal (afaik under 10% of the energy demand) and they produce two-thirds of the consumption themselves. Of course, for geopolitical reasons, they can go shopping at times and fill their own storage (and sell on to Europe :D), but in the end, China looks out for itself.

Habeck is just saying now that the gas storage facilities are now full for the next winter and new LNG storage facilities have been planned and basically already approved.

In the interview I read, Habeck said something different. The storage facilities are more filled again and the owners of gas storage facilities are supposed to be obliged to have them filled before the next winter. So no wonderful gas increase.