German exports to Russia fell by more than 50% by autumn 2022 compared to the previous year, according to a government publication, but imports from Russia decreased less drastically despite the halt of fossil fuel deliveries.
According to the document, German exports to Russia were almost 60% lower in October 2022 compared to October 2021. Meanwhile, imports from the country only fell by around 49%, despite the large-scale efforts to move away from Russian fossil fuel imports.
“Trade with Russia has significantly weakened since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine,” the German government concluded in a written answer to a parliamentary question, published on Monday.
The document adds that it is “not possible” to know in detail how much of the reduction in German-Russian trade is a direct effect of the war and how much is due to EU sanctions since placed on Moscow.
Meanwhile, fresh polling data released by Ipsos institute on Monday suggests that Germans’ willingness to support Ukraine is decreasing slightly compared to earlier during the war.
While a clear majority of respondents still supported welcoming Ukrainian refugees during the most recent polling conducted in December, support for arms deliveries to Kyiv fell to 48%, compared to 55% in April 2022.
Meanwhile, 43% now agree with the statement that “Ukraine’s problems are none of our business and we should not interfere.” In April, this had been less than a third.
(Julia Dahm | EURACTIV.de)
Source: euractiv.com
