During a visit to the refinery alongside Brandenburg’s Minister President, Dietmar Woidke, Reiche emphasized the importance of this decision amid ongoing tensions. Previously, employment security was set to expire in June 2026. The refinery, primarily owned by Rosneft Deutschland, a subsidiary of the Russian state-owned company, has faced operational challenges following the cessation of oil deliveries from Kazakhstan via the Druzhba pipeline. The German government is actively seeking alternative supply routes, including through the Polish port of Gdańsk.