has the state of your business, sandra watson, berlin, welcome to the program, targeting the main artery of russia's economy. that's how president joe biden described. the u. s. decision to ban imports of russian oil creek prices surged again after the announcement which comes at a time when americans already battling rising fuel prices. the u. s. in ports only a small percentage of its oil from russia, but the band will likely push petrol prices. even higher, biden coded the cost of defending freedom. meanwhile, in europe, the u has set out plans to end its dependence on russian energy by 2030. it wants to end most of its imports of natural gas from russia by the end of this year, but doing it will not be easy. russia is now openly threatening to cut off gas supplies to europe completely. this would lead to enormous bottlenecks for

the entire e. you gas is primarily used to heat homes in ovens in production processes in power plants to produce electricity. a sudden supply stop would push up energy prices dramatically. prices for oil and gas have already risen steeply. consumers are feeling the pressure at the petro pumps and on their gas bills. before the russian attack, a megawatt hour of gas cost, $69.00 euro's already more expensive than consumers were used to. since then, in just 2 weeks, the price of the e ex energy exchange has rocked to a record high of 335 euros, and the outlook is uncertain. no one knows whether russia will make good on its threat and turn off the tap completely. the e u now wants to completely become independent of russia. re power e u is the name of its new strategy at its core, diversifying energy suppliers,

and drawing more from renewable sources like solar and bio gas. renewables give us the freedom to choose an energy source that is clean, cheap, reliable, and ours. and instead of continuing to fund fossil fuel imports and fund russian oligarchs, renewables create new jobs here in europe. the u wants to replace 2 thirds of russian gas imports by the end of the year and ambitious target. this will end our over dependency and give us much needed room to maneuver 2 thirds by the end of this year. it's hard, bloody hot, but it's possible if we're willing to go further and faster than we've done before . the e u already has plans for its energy transition, but the war and ukraine has officials startled forcing them to make the switch far faster than previously thought possible. well,

let's discuss europe's energy plans further with mike water sin, he's an expert in energy and industrial economics of university of work in the u. k . thanks a lot for being with us. we just had it described as bloody hard by the e. the task this had it how, how ambitious are these plans where they are, they are very ambitious and, and it, it is quite difficult to see how things will change so quickly. if, if i might, i would make maybe a diversion a to talk about what happened in germany when the was the decision following the focus shiva earthquake to close down 6 nuclear plants really quite quickly. now the end of this is yeah, that will be that will, that was managed quite well,

partly through the fact that the system was integrated. but of course, partly through germany burning more coal and more leak night in particular in order to you know, to satisfy demand. so i think in the short term that again is likely to be a strategy in the longer term what i didn't see in the plans is much mention of storage. now, producing energy from renewables is a well known technique and germany and the u. k. and various others, denmark have been increasing this a great deal, particularly wind and in the south of europe. so sola but none of these produce in the same way that gas does. they don't produce very flexibly on. they don't necessarily produce when you want it on that key for electricity. that is

what bad question isn't it? so he said if, if he can't be getting this natural gas over to where is it coming from? yes, so i think one of the things that's missing is, is plans for storage, storage of energy, not, not necessarily storage of gas, but storage of energy wants to produce the electrical and she wants produced. and that has a car that can be matters. there are various technologies compress, stem, cell storage in dams and so on. but it, some, none of that is very quick rise unaided. right? yeah. because they're saying they want to cook 2 thirds of gas. so i think about it . yes, i think in a in that very short period, it will have to be more gas in ports from hopefully the far east,

the middle east. i mean, i'm also presumably burning more coal. i'm afraid. those of those are short term solutions which go against, particularly the cold climate policy. but yeah, because a lot of a lot of other w is talking about is essentially an acceleration of the the d colonization of the year. isn't it? it's, it's moving years, getting people to use the g. i aren't actually just wanted to pivot to something else that's been coming up. i read the invasion of ukraine by russia, and it's all of the companies where all of a sudden seeing stopping operations in the country we've heard from starbucks. now mcdonalds, coca cola. i want to ask you as an industry expert, why we're certainly getting all of them making this decision at the same time. right? yes. well, i think there are a number of potential factors. i mean, one is

a public opinion. these companies, when we could instance cases, these companies have experienced a partial consumer boycotts in various countries that there is times mcdonalds, for example, house. it could be so it could be public opinion. it could be political pressure. i imagine that president biden is putting pressure on, on american companies, such as coca cola, it could be supply chain issues that they're worried. i mean, again, taking the example of coca cola, presumably the role of the syrup comes from the united states. i'm all a limited number of alternatives and yeah, we got, we got a hold, a confluence of issues coming at once. i'm sorry, my voice in, but we're actually out of time to thank you so much for taking the time. she speaks as a business, that's fine. okay,

now look at some of the other business stories making news around the world. credit rating agency fits downgraded russian debt by 6. not just to see saying that the default is imminent, which says, sanctions and trade restrictions could undermine riches, willingness to service, it's debt. the western measures have thrown the countries financial markets into to them all pulling its invasion. if you train in britain is imposed new aviation sanctions that make it a criminal offense for russian planes to fly or land in the u. k. one planes already been impounded. the measure also bands, aviation space related exports to russia. and one place watching the situation in ukraine very closely is taiwan china views the self governing island does a renegade province and has about to bring it under its control. russian president vladimir putin and china. she, jim pink, have been working together closely. china is not condemned. the invasion that led

some to believe it could have similar plans for taiwan. it is one of the world's key economies and is an important source of semiconductor chips. let's cross to our correspondent in taipei, so song han is that concern in taiwan because of what we've been seeing happen between russia and ukraine. and the obvious possibility is between china and taiwan . yes, there is concern, but not a val. sutton threat or immediate emergency is rather a kind of crisis awareness. for example, the focus on the military service system improvements, the duration and quality or military training. if both men and women should serve, et cetera. so tony's people can really protect their land when needed. there are also discussions on places to hide when be evacuated. some people may air rate evacuation, math to show the location of basin that's around the homes. a growing sense of crisis lately. make pete more people here. wonder what decisions they have to make?

should china really attack time on a growing sense of crisis in taiwan, but how we seen anything from china? that actually is just that it is preparing to take control of taiwan. not practically china as 2 sessions are still going on. we see most of the meetings are focused on nomic, social, agriculture, and likelihood issues. other foreign related or hong karma cow. anti want issues are less important. however, beijing is talking more and more about post unification arrangements. experts predict that chinese president sheet in p may propose a complete system or brand new concept beyond one country to systems for beijing. solving the taiwan issue is a historical mission, and that you will continue to block town in penance through the preparation of force to increase the military and economic pressure on town and to prevent any falling intervention. let's get back to what's happening in ukraine and russia,

and china has been in a tricky position in that it's not wanted to necessarily, so show overt support for what russia is doing the same time. doesn't want to alienate an ally. how has china been backing over or not russia's actions and your crime? at the summit, wes sholtes and mach wrong? she means that the situation in ukraine is worrying and china deeply deplores the recognition of war on the european continent was seen as a 1st time. a chinese leader had broken his silence since the russian invasion of ukraine and the strongest wording from china on the situation. but some analysts say basin is using the consulate again, a geo political advantage, providing in russia with a nomic lifeline. while blaming the u. s. for the root causes of the war, remember beijing repeatedly say that china and russia jointly opposed a return to the cold war mentality. and now by playing the role of a mediator,

the chinese government is to participate in any solution that is proved by the kremlin. i remember hearing from the chinese foreign ministry of the day that russia was actually the most important ally will. so some han and type pay for us. thank you very much muscle from in the business steam here in berlin to my son. ah ah, with ah, ah,

the war and the world economy where all this sanctions lighting? how is the war in energy prices, supply problems, resource shortages, dis, the next economic crisis are made in germany in 30 minutes on the w. o. reset the world over d, w on facebook and twitter up to date and in touch and follow us. so people in trucks injured one trying to flee the city center and more refugees are being turned away at the board. families plain bomb attacks in syria to be

critic don't even with tray to people fleeing, screened around a rough getting 200 people has sunk in the gmc around the world. more than 300000000 people are seeking refuge. we ask why? because no one should have to flue to make up your own mind. d. w for mines. what making the headlines and what's behind them. dw news africa. they show that the issues have been the continent. life is slowly getting back to normally on the street to give you enough reports on the inside of our cars funds, and he's on the ground reporting from across the continent all the time. stuff, the mazda u t. w. news africa every friday on d. w. ah

ah, this is, did we news live from berlin? a nation under fire. ukraine civilians caught in the cross hairs of the war efforts continue to evacuate civilians after russia and ukraine agree. a new cease fire covering several cities, but kiva uses rushes forces of attacking previous escape routes. plus the risk of radiation growing concerns after a power outage. at the chernobyl nuclear plant fears are that the russian control facility may potentially lose the ability to cool.