OREANDA-NEWS. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Germany decided to continue business with Russia in the field of providing energy resources, since it is impossible to find an alternative to them "overnight", RIA Novosti reports.

According to him, Europe deliberately withdrew energy supplies from Russia from sanctions, since at present there are no other ways to ensure the energy supply of the European region "for heat production, transport, electricity supply and industry."

“This is essential for services of general interest and the daily lives of our citizens,” Scholz said.

However, he stressed, all "the steps are designed in such a way as to hit Russia hard and be sustainable in the long term."

Earlier, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner spoke out against the imposition of an embargo on Russian energy resources. He noted that such a measure is being considered in case of deterioration of the situation in Ukraine. According to him, the rejection of energy resources from Russia will cause a sharp rise in energy prices in Europe.