On September 25th 2018, 4 years ago, Donald Trump as US president gave a speech to the UN General Assembly.
During the speech, he gave a stark warning to German leaders.
Watch the German delegation’s response at #UNGA when Trump says “Germany will become totally dependent on Russian energy if it does not immediately change course” #UNGA18 #tictocnews pic.twitter.com/gzjhnpav8S
— Bloomberg Originals (@bbgoriginals) September 25, 2018
“Germany will become totally dependent on Russian energy if it does not immediately change course,” the then-US president said.
“Here in the western hemisphere, we are committed to maintaining our independence from the encroachment of expansionist foreign powers. It has been the formal policy of our country since President Monroe that we reject the interference of foreign nations in this hemisphere and in our own affairs.”
As Trump spoke, members of the German delegation could be seen smirking, grinning and shaking their heads.
Now, as Russia invades Ukraine, there is serious concern over the German and European energy supply, as a huge amount of gas, coal and other fuel sources are imported from Russia. Europe relies on Russia for around 40% of its natural gas.
There are now serious concerns that as Europe threatens Russia with sanctions, Russia may retaliate by shutting off the gas supply, plunging the continent into darkness.
Europe relies on Russia for around 40% of its natural gas.
Now that Russia has invaded Ukraine, this could impact flows through pipelines such as Yamal-Europe, Nord Stream 1 and TurkStream.
Read more 👇https://t.co/Um8rS7Shgg
— Euronews Green (@euronewsgreen) February 25, 2022
Only now are Germany and the EU looking into ways it can become more energy independent by 2030 – four years after Trump’s advice and during an ongoing energy crisis.
Russia supplies 40% of Europe’s gas. For years, Russia used that money from Europe to fund the modernization of its military and fuel Putin’s ambitions of conquering eastern Europe. It's taken three Russian invasions for change to even be considered. https://t.co/YJaxyTvVLv
— Lucas Kunce (@LucasKunceMO) February 24, 2022
Gript published a video this week on Europe’s energy crisis, which can be viewed below.
The truth about the European energy crisis. Analysis by @Ben_Scallan#gript https://t.co/Ukwwl1WvsC pic.twitter.com/PgShol3PdS
— gript (@griptmedia) February 24, 2022