According to letters reviewed by Reuters, management said in January they made an “urgent appeal” to Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche to resolve the standoff with the United States over the plant’s future.
“The letter outlines escalating problems at the refinery, which fuels nine out of 10 cars in Berlin, its airport, supplies petrol across the state of Brandenburg and eastern Germany and key ingredients to the chemicals industry,” the report reads.
Reuters reported that after lobbying by Berlin, the refinery received a temporary exemption from U.S. sanctions imposed in late 2025 on Rosneft and Lukoil. That exemption is set to expire April 29.
A person familiar with the matter told Reuters the business depends on long-term supply contracts, banks for payments and insurers to cover oil cargoes, and that all have been affected by concerns over potential sanctions. The source said the pressure could accelerate a sale of the refinery; one oil group and a major energy investor have discussed buying the business.
“We are already experiencing ... restrictions in our operating business,” one letter said, urging the German government to secure a permanent sanctions exemption.
“The consequences of the ongoing sanctions affect the security of supply for the region.”
Sources said the sanctions, while temporarily paused, have shaken confidence in Rosneft’s German unit among banks, insurers, and its main supplier, Kazakhstan. A working group made up of German government officials, the state of Brandenburg, and refinery management is expected to meet in coming days to discuss possible solutions.
Germany’s energy ministry told Reuters it is negotiating an extension of the U.S. exemption license and intends to support the refinery.
A person familiar with the German government’s position said options include selling the company to a U.S. investor or a state takeover. A U.S. official said Washington has encouraged American companies to consider buying the German Rosneft business, but that in recent months there has been little interest from U.S. investors.
Overall, Rosneft’s German operations, including Schwedt and
stakes in several refineries, account for about one-third of the oil processed
in Germany.