Germany is in close and constructive dialogue with US authorities on extending a license for the German subsidiary of Rosneft, which controls the PCK refinery, a German economy ministry official said on Tuesday.
“We are in very close and constructive dialogue with the competent American authorities regarding an extension of the general OFAC license for Rosneft Deutschland,” Economy Minister Frank Wetzel said in a statement.
In a letter dated January and seen by Reuters, PCK’s management made an urgent appeal to Minister Wetzel to break the deadlock with the United States over the refinery’s future, as American sanctions are impacting its operations and threatening fuel supply to the capital and region.
Tuesday’s statement came after representatives from the German government, the state of Brandenburg, and the refinery’s management met to discuss possible solutions.
The discussions are taking place against the backdrop of pressure from Washington, which has imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, the two largest Russian oil companies, in order to reduce a vital energy artery for Germany supplied by Kazakhstan.
