Russia to Riyadh: is German energy dependency getting worse?

As Berlin scours the Gulf for gas in the name of sovereignty, it is quietly dismantling the last domestic energy buffer it still controls.

Dear Reader,

What were two of the most important members of the German government doing in Saudi Arabia last week?

For years, Berlin kept the Gulf monarchies at arm’s length. Before the Zeitenwende, visits to Riyadh were infrequent and politically awkward. When King Abdullah died in 2015, Germany didn’t send a sitting official to the funeral; three years later, it imposed an arms embargo in response to the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. At around the same time, Riyadh removed its ambassador from Berlin in a spat over the Saudi role in Lebanon.

Last week, all the bitterness was a distant memory.

Economy Minister Katharina Reiche arrived in Riyadh with a large business delegation in tow to a — her words — “loving embrace” from local officials. Merz followed days later, praising the “open and affectionate” reception he received. Investments, hydrogen cooperation and industrial partnerships were discussed. Above all, though, these visits were about gas. From Saudi Arabia, Merz travelled on to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates with the same priority: securing liquified gas supplies.

Before departing, the chancellor framed the trip in the lofty language of the Zeitenwende. In a “new world of great powers,” Germany needs to diversify its alliances, he said. “We will be better able to preserve and increase our freedom, security, and prosperity in the long term if we have such partnerships.” Germany needs to relearn hard power. Supply chains must become more resilient. Dependencies must be reduced.

In truth, the Gulf tour revealed a glaring irony. Merz may talk the language of national sovereignty. Yet in the key domain that underpins industrial output, military capability and social stability — the production of electricity and heat — Germany is becoming more dependent on fragile shipping lanes and capricious foreign suppliers, not less. The reason? German law continues to prioritise strict climate targets over energy autonomy.