German leader focuses on energy and Ukraine in his New Year message

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Chancellor Olaf Scholz celebrates Germany's progress in freeing itself from dependence on Russian gas, urging people to continue saving energy during the new year and pledging to continue to help Ukraine.

Scholz's New Year's television message, the text of which was published by his office ahead of its broadcast on Saturday, focused directly on the effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its government's efforts to cushion the impact on the population in Germany.

But, he added, "the story of 2022 n is not just that of war, suffering and worry". Ukrainians are defending their homeland, "partly thanks to our help - and we will continue to support Ukraine", he said. Germany provided military equipment and financial assistance.

The European Union and NATO, Scholz added, are more united than they have been in a long time, "and we , in Germany, we did not bow when Russia cut off the gas this summer - because we refuse to be blackmailed."

Russia, which used which represents more than half of the country's natural gas supply, has not delivered gas to Germany since late August.

Germany embarked on a gas storage and supply diversification effort following the invasion of Ukraine, and began building liquefied natural gas terminals, including the first was inaugurated two weeks ago. More are expected to follow in the coming months.

“Through these efforts, we are making our country and Europe independent of Russian gas in the long term,” Scholz said. "And we are going through this winter, thanks also, by the way, to well-stocked gas storages and the joint effort we have made to save energy in recent months."

"This will remain important in the coming months,” he said.

Scholz also highlighted various plans the government has in place to mitigate the effects of rising energy prices and Germany's annual inflation rate currently stands at 10%.

The Chancellor said this year's story was one of "cohesion and strength - and, yes, that of confidence too" and urged the Germans to continue in the same vein in 2023.