Germany’s economy minister, Robert Habeck, told German public radio on Wednesday that his country can meet its energy needs without Russian gas.

“Yes it can,” Habeck said in response to Deutschlandfunk’s question. He added consumers would receive assistance should energy prices skyrocket.

Habeck, a member of the governing coalition partner Greens, acknowledged that if Germany were to cut off supplies of Russian gas, there would be a gap initially that would certainly “drive prices higher.”

Habeck added, “As far as the short-term price increases and the burden on consumers and businesses are concerned, we will provide relief elsewhere.”