Partnership for LNG delivery
The US pledges more liquid gas to the EU
03/24/2022, 11:45 p.m
During the EU summit, the discussion rages on whether member states should impose an energy embargo on Russia. In addition to Germany, a number of other countries are opposed to this. The US now wants to help Europe gain more independence from the Kremlin by supplying gas.
The EU will enter into an energy partnership with the US to replace Russian gas supplies. “Tomorrow we will present a new chapter in our energy partnership with President (Joe) Biden,” announced Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of an EU summit on Thursday in Brussels. It is regarding additional deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the USA for the European Union to replace Russian liquefied gas. “An important step forward,” said von der Leyen. The EU is trying to become independent of Russian gas supplies – both pipeline gas and LNG – as quickly as possible.
The question of stopping the supply of energy from Russia is splitting the European Union as the Ukraine war progresses. On the fringes of the EU summit, several heads of government called for the sanctions once morest Russia to be extended to energy imports, i.e. primarily natural gas, coal and oil. Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin said: “As long as we buy energy from Russia, we finance the war.”
However, one person is still on the brakes: Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Scholz said in Brussels that it was a conscious decision by the EU not to include this in the sanctions package, given the very high dependence of some countries on gas, oil and coal from Russia. The day before, Scholz had said, with a view to ending dependence on Russian energy, “to do this from one day to the next would mean plunging our country and all of Europe into a recession. Hundreds of thousands of jobs would be at risk. Entire branches of industry would be up the fag.”
40 percent of the gas in the EU comes from Russia
Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer was also clear: “With us there will be no gas embargo and no oil embargo once morest the Russian Federation.” The conservative politician stressed that this was not only unrealistic for Austria. Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary would also be severely affected. The energy supply for the people must be guaranteed. At its summit, which will continue on Friday, the EU wanted to discuss, among other things, how to proceed with regard to the war once morest Ukraine.
It should be regarding support, but also regarding how Russia can be further pressured. After the NATO and G7 summits, it was the third summit meeting of the day in Brussels. In the evening, US President Joe Biden should also be present as a guest at times. Around 40 percent of the gas in the EU comes from Russia, as well as 27 percent of the oil imports and 46 percent of the coal imported into the EU. According to estimates by the Brussels think tank Bruegel, the EU spends around $420 million (€382 million) a day on Russian gas, and just under $400 million (€364 million) on oil from Russia.
The EU has resolved to get rid of Russian energy imports as quickly as possible. Countries like Poland and the Baltic states are already vehemently demanding that imports of Russian energy be stopped in order to put further pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. “It’s just money. If you’re still alive and your infrastructure is in order, you can earn the money once more,” said Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins. By turning off the money supply to Russia, one might help stop the war machine and start real negotiations to end the war. He emphasized that Latvia is also heavily dependent on Russian gas and oil. The Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas also said that the “strongest possible sanctions” should be imposed now.
Finnish Prime Minister Marin did not want to commit to an energy embargo. When asked whether an immediate gas supply stop should be part of the EU sanctions, she replied that she was still waiting for an evaluation by the EU Commission. Finland is ready to do even more with the sanctions. Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, on the other hand, emphasized that steps should also be taken for further escalation. As an example, he cited the use of chemical weapons in the war in Ukraine. In order to become less dependent on Russian energy supplies, the EU Commission is currently working on opening up more sources of supply. Among other things, the authority is in contact with countries such as Qatar, Azerbaijan, Japan and South Korea.
