In German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s New Year’s address, he mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin, linking him with the outbreak of the conflict in the center of Europe and the subsequent cessation of gas supplies. Scholz had previously expressed concern about gas problems and blamed the Russian president for worsening the situation.

In his speech at the congress of the Social Democratic Party of Germany in early December, the chancellor noted that world gas prices had increased tenfold, and emphasized that it was Russia that interrupted gas supplies to Europe by decision of the Russian president.