The article discusses the uncertain future of the PCK Schwedt refinery in Germany, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Rosneft, a Russian state-owned company, previously held a majority stake (54%) in the refinery. After the invasion, the German government placed Rosneft's German subsidiaries under trusteeship, aiming to divest their shares by September 2025.
Initial talks between Rosneft and Qatar showed promise but stalled. Subsequently, the Russian President mentioned Kazakhstan as a potential buyer, further complicating the sale process. Sources indicate that the negotiations are slow, with Rosneft possibly delaying the process due to ongoing US-Russia talks regarding the Ukraine conflict.
Beyond the sale of Rosneft's shares, the possibility of a trade with Uniper, a German energy company, is also under consideration. This means exchanging Rosneft's German subsidiary for Uniper's Russian subsidiary. The article highlights the geopolitical implications and the impact of this situation on the refinery's employees and the region's fuel supply.